CABBAGE AND LENTIL SOUP

I have been making this recipe for cabbage and lentil soup for a number of years.  It can also be considered a borscht soup, full of vegetables and has lots of flavour.   The recipe makes a large pot of soup which enables you to freeze some of it for future meals.  If freezing, I will freeze the soup in one portion containers in order to have for future lunches.   I find this soup filling and quite enjoyable on a cold winter day.

Ready to eat.

Cabbage and Lentil Soup


INGREDIENTS:
1 tbsp oil
1 large onion chopped
1/4 cabbage, cut into small strips
2 carrots. chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 parsnip, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced or finely chopped
1 cup brown lentils
1 bay leaf
8 cups chicken or vegetable broth (or water and 1 tbsp bouillon powder)
1 small tin of tomatoes or 4 fresh tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 tbsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp fresh or frozen dill
1 to 2 cups reserve water for thinning soup

DIRECTIONS:


In a large soup pot, heat the oil on medium heat and add the onion, carrots, celery and cabbage.  Saute for 15 minutes, until tender, stirring often.  If the vegetables are sticking, add a little bit of water.

Add parsnip, lentils, garlic, bay leaf and broth.  Bring to a boil and simmer for about an hour with the the soup covered.  Then add the tomatoes, brown sugar, lemon juice, dill, salt and pepper.  Simmer for 30 minutes.  If the soup is too thick, add 1 to 2 cups of the reserved water.   Adjust seasonings.  Remove bay leaf.  Makes about 10 soup bowl servings.

Note: The tomatoes and lemon juice are meant to be added towards the end of cooking so that the acid from the tomatoes and lemon juice don't interfere with softening of the lentils.

Adapted from "Meal Lean i Yumm" by Norene Gilletz