Description
Hearty Scottish lentil soup delivers a comforting embrace of traditional Scottish cuisine. Rich legumes and vegetables blend seamlessly, offering you a taste of rustic Highland warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable or chicken broth
- 1.5 cups (375 ml) red lentils, rinsed
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 potato, peeled and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Foundational Sauté: Heat a cooking vessel over medium flame, coating the surface with butter or olive oil to establish a rich, aromatic base.
- Vegetable Transformation: Cascade chopped onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes into the pot, coaxing them to soften and release their intrinsic flavors for 5 minutes while gently stirring.
- Seasoning Symphony: Introduce minced garlic and a harmonious blend of salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme, allowing the spices to bloom and intensify their essence.
- Liquid Alchemy: Stream in red lentils, vegetable broth, a bay leaf, with optional tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce to construct a complex flavor profile.
- Simmering Harmony: Elevate the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat, allowing the soup to simmer serenely for 30-35 minutes, periodically stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Texture Calibration: Adjust the soup’s consistency by adding extra broth or water if the mixture becomes too dense, maintaining an ideal, velvety texture.
- Textural Refinement: For a more luxurious mouthfeel, utilize an immersion blender to partially transform the soup, creating an elegant balance between whole and smooth elements.
- Final Touches: Carefully remove the bay leaf, ensuring a pristine presentation without unwanted remnants.
- Garnish and Serve: Adorn with fresh parsley and complement with rustic accompaniments like crusty bread, traditional oatcakes, or a slice of Scottish bannock.
Notes
- Select Fresh Ingredients: Choose vibrant, firm vegetables and high-quality red lentils for maximum flavor and nutritional impact.
- Control Liquid Absorption: Watch lentil-to-liquid ratio carefully, adding extra broth gradually to prevent soup from becoming too thick or dry.
- Enhance Flavor Layers: Toast spices briefly before adding liquid to unlock deeper, more complex taste profiles and aromatic richness.
- Texture Customization: Use immersion blender strategically – partially blend for creamy-chunky consistency or fully puree for smoother soup experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Scottish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg