LENTIL TOMATO SOUP

Lentil Tomato Soup image

I'm a firm believer in eating foods that symbolize good luck and expanding fortune at the beginning of the year. Usually I stick with my black-eyed peas salad. But I've always been curious about how people in other countries usher in the New Year. Lentils and raisins are present on Italian tables because they resemble coins and swell when cooked. They're usually accompanied by pork, a symbol of prosperity and abundance. This is an easy, robust vegetarian soup that tastes almost meaty. The rosemary in the bouquet garni contributes a savory, earthy flavor.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories dinner, lunch, one pot, soups and stews, appetizer, main course

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 cup lentils, washed and picked over
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 carrot, diced
1 stalk of celery, diced
Salt to taste
1 14-ounce can chopped tomatoes, with juice
5 cups water
A bouquet garni made with 2 sprigs rosemary and 1 bay leaf
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Grated Parmesan or Gruyère for serving
1 to 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

Steps:

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven, and add the onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, carrot and celery, and a generous pinch of salt, and continue to cook for another 5 minutes until tender. Add the tomatoes and bouquet garni, and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down somewhat and smell fragrant, about 10 minutes. Add the lentils, water and salt to taste. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently one hour. Taste and adjust seasonings. Remove the bouquet garni, and stir in the parsley. Serve, garnishing each bowl with Parmesan or Gruyère.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 240, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 40 grams, Fat 4 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 13 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 1172 milligrams, Sugar 6 grams