Prep time
20 mins
Total cook time
1 hr 20 mins
Serves
8 people
Level
Easy
About the recipe
There’s no better way to snuggle down to a hearty, healthy, and filling meal than this classic French lentil soup. Its rich foresty aromas and veggies satisfy all ages.

Ingredients
● 1 yellow onion sliced thinly
● 2 chopped garlic cloves
● 1 ½ cup (300 g) bacon cut in chunks
● 5 carrots (2.5 cups) cut in round slices (not too thick)
• 3 cups (600 g) dried green lentils
• 150 g (small pack) sliced mushrooms
• 2 liters of chicken stock
• 13 oz (40 cL) canned pure tomato sauce
• 1 branch of chopped celery with leaves.
• Optional if need more taste: 2 tsp of tomato concentrate
• Optional: ½ cup red wine
• 2 bay leaves
• ½ tsp rosemary
• 7 tsp of thyme
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp curcuma
• salt to taste
• 250 g heavy whipping cream (or coffee cream or whole milk)

Preparation
2. Add all other ingredients, except the cream, and mix.
3. Cover and cook on low heat for 45 – 60 minutes on the stove until the lentils are tender. If using a crock pot: 7-8 hours. If using an Instant Pot: 12 minutes on high.
4. Once cooked, add the cream and mix.
5. Garnish: top with some cream and thyme and serve warm in bowls with a side salad or a piece of bread and cheese.


