This vegetarian lentil soup is healthy, easy to make and can be cooked in the slow cooker/crockpot. Plus it is low carb and naturally gluten free. The lemon & rosemary gives it a freshness, whilst the blended red lentils & vegetables give it a rich creamy texture without the need for cream. Perfect for fall; serve this soup for lunch or dinner and don't forget the bread & butter. Unless you are serving it up to your vegan friends, then skip the butter!
Peel and finely chop the onions, carrots and garlic.
Wash the celery stalks and cut them in half lengthways. Then chop the long sticks into small dice.
For the slow cooker
Optional stage (see note 2)Pour the olive oil into a large fry pan and once hot, sauté your onions over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened and starting to lightly colour. Add in your carrots and celery garlic and cook for a further 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the vegetables, red lentils, 2 teaspoon of the fresh rosemary and vegetable broth to the slow cooker and cook on low for 7 hours or high for 4 hours.
Give your soup a vigorous stir to create a creamy texture and then add in the seasonings, the zest of the lemon and the additional teaspoon of fresh rosemary.
You can blend it at this stage if you wish.
Serve immediately or set to keep warm.
To cook on the stove.
Pour the olive oil into a large stock pot and once hot, reduce the heat and sauté your onions over a medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened and starting to lightly colour.
Add in your carrots and celery garlic and cook for a further 3 minutes.
Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
Add the red lentils to the pan along with 2 teaspoon of the fresh rosemary and vegetable broth.
Cook over a low heat for 40 minutes until everything has softened.
Give the soup a stir every now and then and once it has finished cooking stir it vigorously to give your soup a creamy texture.
You can blend it at this stage if you wish.
Finish the soup with the seasonings, the zest of the lemon and the remaining fresh rosemary.
Notes
Fresh rosemary really is king here, but if you only have dried add just 2 teaspoon of dried to the soup before you cook it and then skip the rosemary garnish.
Although sautéing the vegetables before putting them into the slow cooker means dirtying another pan, the flavor it gives your soup is so worth it. But if you are short on time this step is optional.