Smokey bacon, carrot & lentil soup
Soup season is back! Here’s my smokey bacon, carrot and lentil number. It’s tasty, I can tell you that much. And prepared with very few ingredients, making it a perfect quick and easy weeknight supper as the nights start drawing in sooner. The clocks went back over the weekend so I need all the comfort I can get!
The lentils make it more filling than a soup of just veg, but a good chunk of freshly baked bread will always be welcome on the side. I had some leftover sourdough at the time, way past its best self but just perfect for crispy croutons. Sourdough croutons on top of the soup with a good grating of cheddar, popped under the grill until the cheese is bubbling and melted. It was everything I needed, I hope it’s a comfort for you too.
Recipe for smokey bacon, carrot & lentil soup
Ingredients 4 Servings
- 6 rashers smoked streaky bacon, finely sliced
- 140g red lentils, rinsed and drained
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 600g carrots, finely chopped
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 1-litre vegetable stock
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Method
- Dry toast the cumin seeds and chilli flakes over a medium heat for 1 - 2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the bacon, carrots and onions to cook over a medium heat for 7 - 10 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the lentils, tomato puree and spices, stir to coat over the other ingredients in the pan. Add the stock, stir again and bring to a simmer for 20 minutes until the lentils are cooked and carrots tender.
- Blitz or keep chunky and season to taste, being mindful of salt as the bacon will already be seasoning the soup aplenty.
- Dry toast the cumin seeds and chilli flakes over a medium heat for 1 - 2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the bacon, carrots and onions to cook over a medium heat for 7 - 10 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
- Add the lentils, tomato puree and spices, stir to coat over the other ingredients in the pan. Add the stock, stir again and bring to a simmer for 20 minutes until the lentils are cooked and carrots tender.
- Blitz or keep chunky and season to taste, being mindful of salt as the bacon will already be seasoning the soup aplenty.