What are French lentils?

French Green Lentils are also known as Le Puy lentils. They are green in color and hold up well when cooking. If you can't find le Puy lentils, go with green, or brown lentils. They hold up well when cooking contrary to orange or red lentils that melt into your dish. Le Puy lentils are my favorite type of lentil. They have a a slightly smoky flavor.

What is the difference between red lentils and green lentils?

There are many lentil varieties. The most common are green or brown or red and orange. Green and brown lentils are great for hearty soups or salads. They hold their shape in cooking and remain a little chewy. Red or orange lentils literally melt into whatever you are cooking and a easy way to add protein and depth of flavor to a soup or stew without additional texture. Red lentils are often used in vegetarian curries or vegetable soup.

Are lentils good for you?

Lentils are a great source of protein, folate and fiber and are super easy to cook. They also give you iron and potassium. Did I mention they are also very inexpensive? You can make a full meal out of pantry staples with lentils.

French Lentil Soup Recipe - Le Chef's Wife

Name: French Lentil Soup Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 2 cloves of garlic, chopped; 1 medium sized yellow onion, diced; 4 oz Pancetta or lardons ( I have also chopped up 4 slices of bacon for this recipe if I didn't have pancetta); 2 cups French green lentils (also known as Lentils du Puy); 3 carrots, peeled and chopped in small pieces; 1 bouillon cube (I like beef flavor for this recipe, but chicken works very well too); 1 bouquet garni (1 sprig of rosemary, 2 sprigs of thyme, 1 bay leaf tied together with some cooking string); 8 cups of water

Description

This French Lentil Soup recipe is surprisingly easy and quick to make. 10 minutes of prep time, 45 minutes of simmering time and you have a delicious, hearty meal in a bowl to enjoy throughout the week. Ideal for meal prep, this soup freezes very well and can be repurposed into a variety of dishes.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 medium sized yellow onion, diced
4 oz Pancetta or lardons ( I have also chopped up 4 slices of bacon for this recipe if I didn't have pancetta)
2 cups French green lentils (also known as Lentils du Puy)
3 carrots, peeled and chopped in small pieces
1 bouillon cube (I like beef flavor for this recipe, but chicken works very well too)
1 bouquet garni (1 sprig of rosemary, 2 sprigs of thyme, 1 bay leaf tied together with some cooking string)
8 cups of water

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Instructions

Place a stock pot on medium high heat - no need to add olive oil.
Add the pancetta and sear until the meat begins to lightly brown.
Add the chopped garlic and yellow onion while stirring.
Throw in the bouquet garni (by now your kitchen should smell amazing!!)
Rinse the lentils using a fine strainer.
When the onions become translucent, add in the carrots, the lentils and 8 cups of water.
Once soup has heated to a soft boil, add in the bouillon cube. Give a good stir.
Bring the heat down to a gentle simmer. Cover partially and let the soup simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more water, 1 cup at a time, if you need to.
After 45 minutes it is time to taste test! Because of the saltiness of the pancetta and the bouillon cube, I don't find that this recipe needs salt, but feel free to add some if you wish.
Serve hot with a drizzle of olive oil or fresh grated parmesan cheese. Delicious with a fresh baked baguette, of course
Bon Appétit!

Notes

This French Lentil Soup is also delicious as a "Soupe Passée", or cream soup. Simply add a half cup of cream and mix using an immersion blender. Delicious!