A cozy and hearty soup packed with flavor, perfect for chilly evenings.
Author:penny
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:30 minutes
Total Time:45 minutes
Yield:4 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Roasting
Cuisine:Italian
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
4 medium ripe tomatoes
2 medium red bell peppers
4 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup brown or green lentils
4 cups vegetable broth
1 medium onion
1 medium carrot
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt (to taste)
Black pepper (to taste)
1/4 cup fresh herbs (parsley or cilantro)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Chop the tomatoes and red bell peppers in half, placing them cut side down on a baking sheet. Nestle the unpeeled garlic cloves among the veggies. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkling a pinch of salt over everything. Roast in the oven for about 25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and caramelized.
Once the onion and carrot are golden, stir in the lentils, smoked paprika, and cumin. Allow the spices to toast slightly for about 1-2 minutes, releasing their flavors.
Pour in the vegetable broth, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Once it reaches a gentle boil, reduce the heat and cover the pot. Allow it to simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
Remove the roasted vegetables from the oven and let them cool slightly. Squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and add everything to the pot. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend just half of the soup and stir it back into the pot. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs, salt, and pepper to taste.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.