Fuzzy Blanket Lentil Soup
Bygr8chefmb
Photo by gr8chefmb
- Serves
- 6-8
- Prep Time
- 15 Minutes
- Cook Time
- 7 Hours
I was home sick with a 'yucky tummy' and craving 🍲 soup but not the 'usual suspects' of chicken noodle soup, etc. I added a secret, unexpected ingredient which makes this soup or stew (or, as Rachael Ray says, "stoup") so velvety and comforting that it's like a warm cuddly fuzzy blanket for your tummy. The addition of farro makes it a comforting hearty stick-to-your-ribs bowl of soup/stew joy. BTW-I felt better after a steaming bowlful.
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoon extra virgin olive pil {divided use}, plus additional for drizzling
- 1 white or yellow onion, diced
- 3 celery ribs, diced
- 2-4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-1/2 cup shredded carrot
- 1-1/2 cup dried lentils
- 3/4 cup dried farro
- 32 ounce beef broth
- 2 bay leaves (fresh or dried)
- 1-1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoon coarse ground salt
- 2 teaspoon coarse ground pepper
- 1-1/2 cup cooked butternut squash puree
- 6 ounce tomato paste
- 2 cup water
- 12 - 14 ounce smoked sausage, diced (beef, cooked smoked bratwurst or turkey)
- Warm pita, crusty bread and/or cornbread
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Directions
- Step 1
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat; add onion, celery, garlic & carrot. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or just until onion turns translucent. {NOTE: This step can be omitted, but I finds it adds a tastier layer of flavor. If you omit this step, simply add these ingredients directly to slow cooker.}
- Step 2
Place veggie mixture in 4- to 6-quart slow cooker along with lentils, farro, beef broth, bay leaves, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, squash puree, tomato paste and water. Replace lid and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Step 3
Heat remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet over medium high heat and diced sausage. Cook for 10-12 minutes, or just until sausage is browned & crispy on edges. Add to slow cooker for the final 30-45 minutes of cooking time. {This step is also optional & again, it adds another layer of flavor. If using smoked turkey sausage but not browning it, add during the last 20-30 minutes of cook time; if it is added sooner, it will become tough.}
- Step 4
Ladle into bowls and drizzle with additional olive oil. Serve with diner's choice of warm pillowy pita bread, crusty bread chunks and/or hot cornbread.
- Step 5
NOTE: This recipe can also be prepared on stovetop, and use Dutch oven for sweating veggies. Cook over medium to medium high heat for 3-4 hours.
- Step 6
Soup/stew can be garnished as you wish & to taste with chopped parsley, pesto, cheese [parmesan, feta, cotija, goat, etc], chili oil and/or toasted pepitas.
- Step 7
Recipe freezes well.
- Step 8
To make vegan/vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and omit sausage.