Experience the essence of Bulgarian home cooking with this authentic Clear Lentil Soup recipe. Warm, comforting, and brimming with the hearty goodness of lentils and aromatic vegetables, this soup perfectly represents Bulgarian culinary tradition.
Approximate Preparation Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
- 200 grams of dry red lentils
- 1 average size onion, chopped
- 1-2 carrots, peeled and finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, whole
- 1/2 chopped fresh paprika (red and yellow)
- 3 tablespoons of sunflower or olive oil
- 2 liters of vegetable broth
- Salt (and pepper) to taste
Method of preparation
- Begin by rinsing the lentils thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside to drain.
- Add the lentils to the pot along with the chopped onion, carrots, paprika, garlic, and olive oil, and stir well, allowing the lentils to cook with the vegetables for a couple of minutes.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes or until the lentils are tender and the soup has reached your preferred consistency.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Tips and Tricks
- Add a teaspoon of paprika when boiling for a more vibrant flavor.
- Add more broth or water if the soup becomes too thick while simmering.
- See how this Bulgarian Lentil soup can be cooked to achieve a thicker Lentil Soup.
Storage Suggestions
This clear lentil soup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month. To reheat, thaw (if frozen) and warm gently on the stove or microwave.
