Czech Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200g) dried lentils 1 cup (200g) dried lentils
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 4g, 0.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 42g, 6g
• Protein: 14g
• Fiber: 15g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the lentils under cold water and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
3. 3.
   Add the smoked paprika and bay leaf to the pot and stir well.
4. 4.
   Pour in the vegetable broth and add the rinsed lentils. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked through.
5. 5.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. 6.
   Remove the bay leaf from the soup.
7. 7.
   Serve the Czech Lentil Soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lentils — Make sure to rinse the lentils thoroughly before using them to remove any dirt or debris.
• Smoked paprika — Use a good quality smoked paprika to enhance the flavor of the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, you can blend a portion of the soup using an immersion blender.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice before serving to brighten the flavors.
• Serve the soup with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt for added creaminess.
• Feel free to customize the soup by adding other vegetables such as potatoes or bell peppers.
• This soup tastes even better the next day, so consider making a larger batch for leftovers.

Serving advice

Serve the Czech Lentil Soup as a main course with crusty bread on the side. It can also be served as a starter or a light lunch.

Presentation advice

Garnish the soup with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color. Serve it in a rustic bowl to enhance the traditional Czech feel.