Best Lentil Escarole Soup Cooks Illustrated Recipes

LENTIL AND ESCAROLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, cook the onion, celery and carrots in the olive oil, stirring frequently, until golden, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, bring to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, for 10 minutes to reduce the liquid.
• Pick over the lentils, discarding any stones or misshapen lentils. Rinse well and stir into the saucepan. Stir well; add the stock, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered, until partially softened, about 30 minutes. Add the escarole, salt, and pepper and cook until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes longer.
• Ladle into warmed soup plates and sprinkle with the cheese. Serve immediately.

LENTIL SOUP WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND ESCAROLE

Steps:

• Simmer lentils, water, broth, bay leaf, and half of garlic in a 4-quart pot, uncovered, 12 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a wide heavy 5- to 6-quart pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Brown sausage, about 7 minutes. Transfer sausage with a slotted spoon to a bowl.
• Reduce heat to medium and cook onion, carrots, celery, remaining garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add sausage and lentils with cooking liquid and simmer, uncovered, until lentils are tender, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in escarole and cook until tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in vinegar to taste and season with salt and pepper. Discard bay leaf.

LENTIL AND ESCAROLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion and carrots. Cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, about five minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Stir in the tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, and cook, stirring, until the tomatoes have cooked down slightly and smell fragrant, five to 10 minutes. Add the lentils and simmer with the tomato mixture for a few minutes, then add the bouquet garni and the water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and add salt to taste (1 to 2 teaspoons). Cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• Add the escarole, and bring back to a simmer. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the escarole and the lentils are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove the bouquet garni.
• Toast slices of country bread if desired and rub with a cut clove of garlic. Place a slice in each bowl, ladle in the soup and serve.