Low-Cost Lentil Soup for MLK Day Family Dinners

Ingredients

• 1 pound brown or green lentils, rinsed and picked over
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 medium carrots, sliced
• 3 celery stalks, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Prep vegetables: Dice onion, slice carrots and celery, mince garlic.
2. Sauté aromatics: Heat oil in Dutch oven. Cook onion 5 minutes, add carrots and celery 5 more minutes, then garlic and spices 1 minute.
3. Add lentils and tomatoes: Stir in rinsed lentils and crushed tomatoes, cooking 2 minutes.
4. Simmer: Add broth and bay leaves. Bring to boil, then simmer partially covered 45 minutes until lentils are tender.
5. Season and serve: Remove bay leaves, season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley if desired.