Recipe of the Week!
Mediterranean Spicy Spinach and Lentil Soup
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Total time: 35 minutees
INGREDIENTS
Olive oil
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
1 large garlic clove, chopped
Salt and pepper
1½ tsp coriander
1½ tsp cumin
1½ tspsumac
1½ tsp crushed red peppers
2 tsp dried mint flakes
Pinch of sugar
1 tbsp flour
6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
3 cups water, more if needed
12 oz frozen cut leaf spinach (no need to thaw)
1½ cups small brown lentils, rinsed
1 lime, juice of
2 cups chopped flat leaf parsley
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large ceramic or cast iron pot, heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Add the chopped onions and sautee until golden brown. Add the garlic, all the spices, dried mint, sugar and flour. Cook for about 2 minutes on medium-high heat stirring regularly.
Now add the broth and water. Raise the heat to high and bring the liquid to a rolling boil; add the frozen spinach and the lentils. Cook for 5 minutes on high heat then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until the lentils are fully cooked to tender. (Partway through cooking, check the liquid levels, and if you need to add a little bit of hot water.)
Once the lentils are fully cooked, stir in the lime juice and chopped parsley. Remove from the heat and let sit covered for 5 minutes or so. Serve hot with pita bread or your favorite rustic Italian bread.
NOTES
This recipe uses small brown lentils, if you choose larger lentils, your cooking time may be longer. If you like, you can soak the lentils in cold water for 20 minutes before cooking to speed things up
