There’s just something about mom’s cooking, right? Even the most simple things magically taste better when it’s cooked by your mom. Growing up, we remember asking our mom to make us things as plain and easy as buttered toast when we were well old enough to do it ourselves. She’d say, “Come on, make it yourself!” To which we’d always say, “Aw but pleeaseeeee. You do it better!” Same goes for this soup. She makes it all the time in the fall and winter, and it’s so easy but so delicious and comforting. We can make it ourselves (and we do, cause it’s so good!), but we still like going over to the parent’s house and having it when she makes it.
Soups are an awesome way to eat healthy, nutritious meals that are warm and satisfying in the colder seasons. They’re filling and can easily be loaded with lots of veggies, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Take the lentils in this recipe, for example. Lentils are an excellent source of plant-based protein, fiber, and minerals. Also in this recipe: Bone broth, celery, and carrots provide even more vitamins and minerals. On top of that the spices and garlic work wonders for immunity. Best part about this soup is that you put everything in a big pot and just leave it alone and let it simmer for a while. We like to serve it with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast, top it off with some avocado, and dip with Mary’s black pepper crackers.
Ingredients *serves about 5, or double recipe for larger family or to store extra in the freezer
1/2 white onion
4 celery stalks 3-4 large carrots 1-2 cloves garlic 2 bay leaves 1/2 bag of lentils (1/2 lb)
Optional handful of noodles (we’d do brown rice or quinoa gluten-free noodles) ~16 oz bone broth or vegetable broth salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder Optional sprinkle of nutritional yeast when serving
Optional avocado slices for topping
Instructions
1. Chop onion, celery, carrots, and garlic
2. Put all ingredients into a pot on low heat
3. Allow soup to cook for about 2 hours, occasionally stirring and adding seasoning as needed
4. Add water little by little as needed to thin out to desired consistency
5. Serve with optional sprinkle of nutritional yeast, avocado, and crackers