COOK'S ILLUSTRATED LENTIL SOUP

COOK'S ILLUSTRATED LENTIL SOUP image

Yield 1 pot

Number Of Ingredients 17

Cooks Illustrated Lentil Soup
makes about 2 quarts, serving 4 to 6
3 slices bacon, cut into ¼ inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped fine
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped medium
3 medium cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes (14 ½ ounces), drained
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme
1 cup lentils, preferably French de Puy, rinsed and picked over
1 teaspoon salt
freshly ground pepper
½ cup dry white wine
4 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 ½ cups water
1 ½ teaspoons balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Steps:

Fry bacon till fat is rendered. Add onion and carrots and cook till they soften, about 2 minutes. Add garlic till fragrant, add tomatoes and herbs and stir till fragrant. Add lentils, salt and pepper, stir well, cover, reduce heat and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover, increase heat, add wine and bring to boil. Add broth and water and bring back to boil. Cover partially, reduce heat to low and simmer till lentils are tender, about 30 to 35 minutes. Remove bay leaf. Puree 6 or 8 cups of soup till smooth and return to pot. Add vinegar and heat gently.