Best French Lentil Soup W Smoked Paprika Recipes

Smoky Lentil Stew With Leeks and Potatoes image

Provided by David Tanis

Time 1h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 1/2 cups small lentils, such as Pardina or Puy (12 ounces), or use any size green or brown lentil
1 medium onion, halved, plus 2 bay leaves and 2 whole cloves
Kosher salt and black pepper
4 or 5 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced 3/4-inch thick
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
2 medium leeks, white and tender green parts, chopped in 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 large thyme or rosemary sprig
2 tablespoons pimentón dulce or smoked sweet paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne, or to taste
Small pinch of saffron (about 12 strands), soaked in 1/4 cup cold water
1 cup chopped canned tomato with juice
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
Chopped parsley (optional)

Steps:

Rinse lentils. Put them in a Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottomed pot and add 8 cups water. Pin a bay leaf to each onion half using a whole clove and add to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, add a large pinch of salt, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook with lid ajar for about 30 minutes, until soft. Turn off heat.
Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of salted water to boil, and cook the potato slices until just done, about 10 minutes, then drain and spread out on a baking sheet to cool.
Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is wavy, add leeks and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Let leeks cook briskly, stirring frequently until soft but still bright green, about 5 to 8 minutes. Turn heat to medium, stir in chopped garlic, thyme, pimentón and cayenne.
Add saffron and soaking water, the chopped tomato and vinegar. Turn heat to high and let everything simmer for a few minutes. Pour contents of skillet into Dutch oven with lentils. Add the reserved potatoes.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook covered with lid ajar for about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, then cook for 10 more minutes. The lentils will be quite soft and the potatoes will start to break. Discard onion and thyme sprig.
Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and chopped parsley, if you wish.

Red Lentil Soup with Smoked Paprika image

Yield serves 8 generously, with leftovers

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 tablespoons expeller-pressed vegetable oil
1 medium onion, diced
1 small celery stalk, diced
2 small carrots, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons hot or sweet smoked paprika, or a combination, to taste
2 teaspoons sweet (unsmoked) paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup dry white wine
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
3 cups red lentils
Large pinch (about 15 threads) of saffron
1 teaspoon sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
Yogurt or crème fraîche (page 224), for serving
Leaves of fresh tender herbs, such as cilantro or dill, for serving

Steps:

Heat the oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat, and add the onion, celery, carrots, and bell pepper. Reduce the heat, season with salt and pepper, and sauté, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes, until wilted and starting to color. Add both paprikas and the cumin, and briefly toast until fragrant. Deglaze the pan with the wine, and once it has bubbled away, add the tomatoes, season again with salt, and stir well. Cook until most of the tomato juices have reduced, about 3 minutes.
Add the lentils, 2 1/2 quarts water, the saffron, and the sugar. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium-low heat until the lentils are completely tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
Give the soup a few pulses with an immersion blender to create a creamy but still chunky texture. Add the lemon juice and check the seasoning. Serve with a dollop of yogurt and herb leaves.

French Lentil Soup image

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped celery stalks plus chopped celery leaves for garnish
1 cup chopped carrots
2 garlic cloves, chopped
4 cups (or more) vegetable broth
1 1/4 cups lentils, rinsed, drained
1 14 1/2-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
Balsamic vinegar (optional)

Steps:

Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, celery, carrots, and garlic; sauté until vegetables begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Add 4 cups broth, lentils, and tomatoes with juice and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes.
Transfer 2 cups soup (mostly solids) to blender and puree until smooth. Return puree to soup in pan; thin soup with more broth by 1/4 cupfuls, if too thick. Season with salt, pepper, and a splash of vinegar, if desired. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with celery leaves.