This 30 Minute Stove Top Lentil Soup is an excellent vegetarian meal full of nutrients and takes only 10 minutes to prep.
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What a year it’s been!
I can’t even put into words all my thoughts surrounding 2020. If I did, I think it would be a novel.
At the very least, I can say, that I cannot wait until this pandemic is over. I know it won’t end when we ring in the new year, however, I am optimistic that there’s an end in sight, especially now that vaccines are rolling out.
That’s about all I’ll say on this topic since it’s so hotly debated. And I know I can’t convince others to change their option.
I am also so thankful my friends and family have stayed healthy through these challenging times, and that most have taken the important precautions to help each other avoid unnecessary risks.
Through this year, Dan and I have been mostly working from home (full time) with all three kids doing school from home.
Trying to Make the Most of 2020
We have tried to make the most of it by trying new activities, being grateful for what we have, and have taken safe trips up north. For our sanity and mental health — I need to TRAVEL, even if it’s a couple of hours away!
We camped, boated, and tried out frisbee golf which was definitely a hit for the entire family.
Another big change that happened this year was Dan changed jobs. He is now in a completely different role compared to the last 10 years and I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Next to the pandemic, this has been the biggest change we’ve all experienced. He has a regular schedule, less stress and is home WAY more than he’s been in over a decade.
We also started watching our budget MUCH more closely. This was fairly easy to do since all kids activities were canceled, we couldn’t travel nearly as much as we’d like or eat out much.
Keeping it Simple
So, this meant I have been cooking more meals this year than I ever have in a given year. But, I’ve definitely been keeping it simple.
The “snack plate” lunches shown below have come in pretty handy when I want to put lunch together quickly. It’s even better when one of the kids wants to put it together for me.
Did I cook a lot in past years? Yes, of course. However, Dan and I would enjoy lunches out about once a week and we’d go out to dinner at least once a month.
Since dine-in options at restaurants have been closed for most of the year in Michigan, I haven’t had much of a choice but to cook more.
This has not only allowed me to be more conscious of our daily food choices, but it’s also given me a chance to look at weeks at a time.
I’m much more aware when it comes to the variety of food we are eating. This year I’ve been working on and will continue into 2021, to add more vegetarian and fish meals to our regular rotation.
That’s where this delicious Stove Top Lentil Soup comes in. It’s super to put together and takes about 30 minutes to cook. It also lasts about 5 days in the fridge or can be frozen for a few months.
Simple Steps to Save Time Making This Stove Top Lentil Soup
- Prep veggies ahead of time! Chop the onion, celery and carrots and place them in a container in the fridge until you’re ready to cook the soup.
- Prep the spices! Yes, I said prep the spices. The night before I cook soups, stews, etc. I will combine all the spices in a small container and place them right next to the stove. So when I’m ready to throw it all together in the morning it’s super simple.
- Use a large heavy-duty stockpot. I love using my 5-quart cast iron dutch oven. This allows the soup to cook evenly and it’s less likely to burn the bottom of the soup.
Dietitian’s Dish
Here are a few of my other favorite soups that are both nutritious and quite satisfying. Oh, and did I mention fairly simple? And if you love today’s lentil soup, I’m sure you’ll love this Turemic Lentil Soup variation from Sarita’s of An Off Grid Life’s with delicious spices as well!
Cheers to a New Year
I have been very light on blogging this year, and it’s not a surprise. I gave myself a ton of grace considering we had kids at home for most of the year and my full-time job responsibilities skyrocketed.
I’ve been very busy, but very grateful for more opportunities to grow within my company).
With that said, I believe taking care of your mental health is just as important, if not more important than your physical health. You really can’t have one without the other.
This year especially, so many people have experienced hardship, loss, tragedy and possibly more stress than ever before. This is just a reminder to take care of yourself, reach out to loved ones and seek professional health if needed.
Cheers to 2021 and wishing you all good health and a Happy New Year!
Stove Top Lentil Soup
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 sweet onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2 celery ribs, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 1 large carrots, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
- 2 cups lentils, green or brown, rinsed
- 1 14 oz. can diced tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth, low sodium
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onion to pot and cook for 2 minutes or until slightly softened.
- Add celery and carrots and cook for 7 – 10 minutes or until softened.
- Stir in all remaining ingredients except the lemon and salt.
- Increase heat and bring to a simmer. Place lid on and turn heat down to simmer for 35 – 40 minutes or until lentils are soft.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add lemon juice just before serving.
Notes
This Stove Top Lentil Soup post first appeared on Chocolate Slopes.
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