3732. FRENCH LENTIL SOUP with KALE and BACON

makes four generous servings


4 oz bacon, chopped
2 large (or 3 small) carrots, chopped
1 cup leeks, white and light green parts, washed and thinly sliced (or about 1 small yellow onion, diced)
pinch red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried Turkish oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, plus (optionally) more for serving
1 cup French green lentils, picked over for odd little bits
6 cups beef stock
5 oz (about 4-5 handfuls) kale, chopped into bite-sized pieces
sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
olive oil and parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Add bacon to a cold Dutch oven or soup pot and turn flame to med-high. Cook until bacon renders about half its fat and pan begins to take on color, about 5 minutes.

Add carrots, leeks, pepper flakes, thyme and oregano and cook until veggies begin to give off liquid. Add vinegar. Deglaze pan, scraping up all brown bits from bacon.

Add lentils and beef stock and bring to a boil; then reduce to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until lentils are tender.

Add kale, pushing down to submerge in broth, and cook for another 5 minutes or so, until leaves have wilted substantially but kale remains green. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper, if necessary.

Serve soup piping hot in big bowls with a scant drizzle of vinegar, olive oil and a scattering of parmesan, if desired.


bacon recipe source: Emily Stoffel, the pig & quill (@thepigandquill), January 14, 2015

3615. LENTIL SOUP with BACON and ORZO

yields 6-8 servings


2/3 cup olive oil 
5 medium onions, chopped

8 garlic cloves, minced 

1/2 pound bacon, chopped 

3 celery stalks, chopped 

5-6 carrots, peeled and chopped 

3 parsnips, peeled and chopped 

12 ounces red lentils, rinsed and picked over 

8 cups vegetable broth 

1/2 cup tomato paste 

1/2 cup uncooked orzo 

8 cups water 

6 scallions, white and light green parts, thinly sliced 

1/2 cup chopped parsley 

1 tablespoon grated lemon zest 

Parmesan cheese, for garnish 

 

Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add the onions, garlic, and bacon, and sauté over medium heat until the bacon is cooked and the onions are well browned, 6 to 8 minutes.

 

Stir in the celery, carrots, and parsnips. Cover, and cook until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

 

Add the lentils, broth, tomato paste, orzo, and water. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the lentils and orzo are tender, about 30 minutes.

 

Just before serving, stir in the scallions, parsley, and zest. Top each serving with grated Parmesan.

 

 

bacon recipe source: Soup Night: Recipes for Creating Community Around a Pot of Soup by Maggie Stuckey (Storey Publishing, 2013); relish.com (@relishmagazine)

3414. FRENCH LENTIL and VEGETABLE SOUP with BACON

makes six servings 


3 slices bacon, finely chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil 

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped 

1 stalk celery, finely chopped 

2 medium carrots, diced 

3 cloves garlic, minced 

1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes 

6 cups chicken broth, best quality such as Swanson 

1 cup French lentils (lentilles du Puy), or common brown or green lentils 

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 

2 bay leaves 

1 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 

a few tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

 

Fry the bacon in a large pot over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crisp, 4-5 minutes. Add the olive oil, onions and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots and garlic, stirring constantly, and cook 1 minute more. Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), chicken broth, lentils, thyme, bay leaves, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Cover partially, reduce heat to low and simmer until the lentils are tender, 45-50 minutes (less for common lentils). Fish out bay leaves and discard.

 

Use an immersion blender to purée the soup until the broth is slightly thickened, or to desired consistency. (Do not purée too much or the soup will get too thick, and you'll lose the integrity of the lentils.) If you don't have an immersion blender, transfer about 2 cups of the soup to a blender and purée until smooth, then return the blended soup to the pot. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve. (Note: The soup may thicken as it sits; thin with a bit of water if necessary.)

bacon recipe source: Jennifer Segal, Once Upon a Chef, January 2013

2661. LENTIL SOUP with BACON and LEMON YOGURT CREAM

makes about 8 cups of soup


4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped, or 1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced small
1 large or 2 small carrots, diced small
3 celery stalks, diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 cup green or brown lentils
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup yogurt
zest and juice from 1 lemon
Minced parsley to serve

Set a 6-quart or larger pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook slowly until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of the bacon fat. If using olive oil, simply heat the oil and continue to the next step.

Turn the heat to medium-high and cook the onion until it softens and starts becoming translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots and celery, and cook for another minute or two. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, paprika, cumin, salt, and cinnamon. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add the lentils, broth, and bay leaf to the pan and stir. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 to 30 minutes until the lentils are soft (exact cooking time will depend on your lentils). Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Stir the reserved bacon into the soup, or sprinkle it right on top of each bowl.

Whisk together the yogurt, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add a dollop of this yogurt sauce to each bowl as you serve and sprinkle the tops with parsley.

Lentil soup will keep refrigerated for up to a week or freeze in individual portions for up to three months.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Emma Christensen, The Kitchn, April 23, 2012

2175. HEARTY LENTIL SOUP with BACON and HERBS

serves six


1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1 slice bacon, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
7 cups (or more) canned low-salt chicken broth
2 cups dried lentils (about 12 1/2 ounces)
2 large fresh thyme sprigs or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onions

Combine onion, celery, carrot, bacon and garlic in heavy Dutch oven. Stir over medium-high heat 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until vegetables are tender, about 7 minutes. Uncover; add 7 cups broth, lentils, thyme and bay leaf and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf.

Transfer half of soup to processor; cool slightly. Puree until smooth. Return puree to Dutch oven. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more broth, if desired. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper.

Combine parsley and chives in small bowl. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle parsley mixture over and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Bon Appétit, March 1996

2085. SMOKY RED LENTIL SOUP with BACON and CHEDDAR TOASTS

makes six servings


2 bacon slices, finely chopped
1 cup finely chopped onion (1 large)
2 large carrots, quartered and cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 cup red lentils (7 oz)
1 quart water
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
6 (1-inch-thick) baguette slices, cut on a long diagonal
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 to 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/4 lb extra-sharp Cheddar, cut into 12 (1/4-inch-thick) slices

Cook bacon in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until fat is rendered and bacon is golden brown, about 6 minutes. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons fat from pot (if your bacon renders less fat, add enough olive oil to bring total to 2 tablespoons), then add onion and carrots to bacon and cook over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until onion is softened and golden, about 5 minutes. Add lentils and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add water, stirring and scraping up any brown bits from bottom of pot, then reduce heat to moderately low and simmer, covered, until lentils are very tender, 15 to 25 minutes. Stir in salt and pepper.

Preheat broiler. Arrange baguette slices on a baking sheet or broiler pan and spread top of each slice with butter. Broil slices 6 inches from heat until pale golden, about 1 minute. Spread buttered sides with a thin layer of mustard, then top each toast with 2 slices of cheese and broil until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 1 minute.

Serve soup with Cheddar toasts.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Gourmet, March 2006

2053. CREAMY LENTIL SOUP with GARLIC and BACON

makes four servings


3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, pressed
2 onions, minced
1-1/2 cups lentils
8 oz. bacon
7-8 cups chicken stock
1 3-inch sprig of thyme
1 cup cream
salt and white pepper to taste

Melt the butter over med-low in dutch oven. Add the onions and garlic and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft but not at all browned. Add the bacon and cook an additional 2 minutes stirring. Stir in the lentils, 7 cups of chicken stock and the thyme sprig. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 to 1-1/2 hours until the lentils are soft. Place a colander over a large bowl. Pour in the soup, separating the lentils from the broth. Remove the bacon strips from the lentils and set aside. Wipe out the dutch oven and pour the broth back into the pot. Place the lentils in the bowl of a food processor and purée. Skim the fat off of the broth, stir in the lentil purée. Slice the bacon. Add the bacon back into the pot and stir in the cream. Simmer over med-low heat for about 10 minutes to heat through.


bacon recipe courtesy of: BakeSpace.com

2001. RED-LENTIL SOUP with SAGE and BACON

5 slices (4 ounces) bacon, cut into 1/4-inch dice
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 medium carrots, cut into 1/4-inch dice
6 fresh sage leaves, minced, plus more for garnish
1 1/2 cups red lentils
1 teaspoon ground cumin
5 cups homemade or low-sodium canned chicken stock

In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until crisp, about 3 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a piece of paper towel, and set aside. Discard all but 1 tablespoon bacon drippings from pan.

Add the garlic, onion, and carrots to saucepan. Cook vegetable mixture over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the minced sage, and cook 1 minute more.

Add the lentils, cumin, and chicken stock; stir to combine. Simmer until lentils are cooked and falling apart, 20 to 25 minutes.

To serve, divide the hot soup among four soup plates, and garnish with the reserved bacon and additional sage.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart Living

1758. LENTIL and SWEET POTATO SOUP with BACON and CILANTRO

makes six to eight servings


5 thick slices applewood smoked bacon, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1 large yellow onion (or 2 small), diced
2 large carrots, diced
3 medium sized sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cups French lentils (lentils de puy)
8 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon Madras Curry powder (or other yellow curry powder)
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
salt & pepper
1 large handful of cilantro leaves

Set a very large pot over medium-low heat and cook the bacon until the fat renders and it begins to crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and reserve the bacon. Add the onions and carrots to the pot and cook in the bacon fat until soft – about 10 minutes.

Add the sweet potatoes, lentils, chicken stock and curry powder and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low or low and cook for 30 – 40 minutes, or until the potatoes and lentils are tender. To thicken soup, mash the soup with a potato masher (or ricer) about 15 times. (This is optional.)

Add the sherry vinegar and taste the soup. Add salt and pepper as needed. Ladle into bowl and sprinkle with bacon bits and fresh cilantro leaves.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Melissa Camero Ainslie, Bitchincamero, Miami, Florida, January 6, 2010 | Ad Hoc at Home by Thomas Keller. Artisan, 2009

1719. LENTIL SOUP with TUBETTI and BACON

serves four


1/4 pound bacon, slices cut crosswise into 1/2-inch strips
2 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 onions, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 ribs celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
6 cloves garlic, peeled
1 pound lentils (about 2 1/3 cups)
1 1/2 quarts canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
3 cups water
1 teaspoon dried rosemary, or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
1 cup canned tomatoes in thick puree, chopped
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon dried red-pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1/2 cup tubetti or other small macaroni

In a large pot, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp. Remove. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. Add the carrots, onions, celery, mushrooms and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes.

Add the lentils, broth, water, rosemary, tomatoes, salt, red-pepper flakes, black pepper and bacon. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the pasta and simmer until the lentils are tender and the pasta is done, 10 to 15 minutes longer.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Food & Wine

216. LENTIL SOUP with APPLE-SMOKED BACON

yields 4 servings


2 ounces small diced apple-smoked bacon
1 small carrot, diced (4 ounces)
1 small onion, diced (4 ounces)
1 stick celery, diced (2 ounces)
1 cup dried lentils
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
3 springs fresh thyme
Salt, to taste

In a sauce pot on medium heat, saute the apple smoked bacon until crisp. Remove from pot. Saute the carrots, onion, and celery until soft. Add the lentils and mix together. Add the water and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Add back the bacon, together with bay leaves, crushed red pepper, and thyme. Simmer until lentils are soft but still hold their shape. Pour through strainer and save liquid. Take half the lentil mixture and puree it. Add it back to the liquid lentil mixture. Season with salt and pepper.


courtesy of: The Victoria, a Country Inn & Restaurant, Anniston, Alabama

186. LENTIL SOUP with BACON and ASIAGO CHEESE

makes about 8 cups; serves 6 to 8


1 teaspoon vegetable oil
6 slices of bacon, cut into a small dice
1 medium onion, cut into a small dice
2 carrots, cut into a small dice
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 cups kale, washed, tough stems removed, and cut or torn into 1-inch pieces
2 cups lentils, rinsed and picked over for stones
2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
4 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon kosher salt
pinch of red pepper flakes
6 to 8 slices of Italian or French bread
4 to 6 oz. Asiago cheese, grated

Heat the vegetable oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring, until most of its fat has rendered, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the onion, carrots, garlic, and kale, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is just tender, about 5 minutes. Add the lentils, herbes de Provence, 6 cups water, and the chicken broth. Raise the heat and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the lentils are tender, 35 to 50 minutes. Add the salt and the red pepper flakes.

When ready to serve, toast the bread under the broiler on both sides. Divide the Asiago cheese among the slices of toasted bread and broil briefly until the cheese is just melted. Top each bowl of soup with the bread and cheese.


courtesy of: Bistro Cooking At Home, by Gordon Hamersley. New York: Broadway Books, 2003, p. 55.