Hearty Alton Brown Lentil Soup Recipe

Nestled in the world of comfort cuisine, lentil soup emerges as a culinary champion, delivering warmth and nourishment in every spoonful.

This robust dish captures the essence of home-cooked magic, transforming humble legumes into a spectacular meal.

Packed with nutrients and bursting with flavor, lentil soup dances between simplicity and sophistication.

Each ingredient tells a story of comfort and wellness, blending seamlessly to create a symphony of taste.

Spices whisper their secrets, vegetables add their vibrant character, and lentils provide a hearty foundation that satisfies deep hunger.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its effortless preparation and incredible taste profile.

Check out a bowl of pure, soul-reviving deliciousness that promises to elevate your dining experience.

How to Cook Alton Brown’s Lentil Soup

• Kickstart the Flavor Base

Grab your Dutch oven and warm it up with a splash of olive oil. Toss in diced carrots, chopped celery, and onions. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and let the vegetables dance and soften, releasing their aromatic magic for about 7 minutes.

• Build Depth and Complexity

Pour in vibrant diced tomatoes, hearty lentils, and rich broth. Awaken the soup with a burst of cumin and coriander. Let these spices mingle and create a symphony of tastes that will make your taste buds sing.

• Slow Simmer to Perfection

Crank up the heat to bring everything to a boil, then dial it back and let the soup gently bubble. Cover the pot and let the ingredients meld together, transforming into a silky, comforting masterpiece. Wait patiently as the lentils become tender and luxurious.

• Transform and Serve

Unleash your inner chef with an immersion blender, transforming the soup into a velvety smooth liquid. If you prefer, carefully transfer to a standard blender in batches. Ladle into bowls and crown your creation with a sprinkle of fresh herbs or a graceful swirl of olive oil.

Helpful Tips for Alton Brown’s Lentil Soup

• Boost Flavor Fusion: Experiment with different spice combinations like smoked paprika, turmeric, or za'atar to transform the soup's flavor profile and add unexpected depth.
• Texture Transformation: Create a chunkier version by blending only half the soup, leaving some lentils whole for a rustic, hearty texture that provides more bite and interest.
• Protein Power-Up: Enhance nutritional value by stirring in cooked quinoa, shredded chicken, or crispy chickpeas just before serving to make the soup more substantial and filling.
• Seasonal Swap-Out: Replace winter root vegetables with summer squash or bell peppers during warmer months, allowing the recipe to adapt to seasonal produce and keep the dish exciting year-round.

Best Ways to Serve Alton Brown’s Lentil Soup

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice a warm baguette or rustic sourdough to dip into the creamy lentil soup, soaking up all the rich, hearty flavors.
• Sprinkle Fresh Herbs: Garnish with chopped cilantro, parsley, or chives to add a bright, fresh note and vibrant green color to the soup.
• Create a Protein Boost: Top with crumbled feta cheese, toasted pumpkin seeds, or a dollop of Greek yogurt to enhance the soup's nutritional value and add extra texture.
• Serve as a Complete Meal: Pair the soup with a simple green salad or quinoa side dish to transform it into a satisfying and nutritious lunch or dinner option.

Saving and Storing Alton Brown’s Lentil Soup

• Preserve Soup Freshness: Store leftover soup in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cool completely before sealing to maintain optimal flavor and texture.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled soup to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze flat to save space, keeping soup fresh for 3-4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheat with Care: Warm soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of water or broth if the soup becomes too thick during reheating.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare a large batch and portion into individual containers for quick, healthy lunches or dinners throughout the week. Pair with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal solution.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredient List for Alton Brown’s Lentil Soup

• Carrot: Choose firm, bright orange carrots with smooth skin for the best flavor and sweetness.
• Celery: Select crisp, vibrant green stalks with no wilting or browning for maximum freshness.
• Onion: Pick firm, heavy onions with tight, papery skin for robust flavor and natural sweetness.

• Dried Lentils, Diced Tomatoes: Select brown or green lentils for hearty texture; opt for no-salt-added canned tomatoes to control seasoning.
• Vegetable Broth, Chicken Broth: Choose low-sodium versions to manage salt content and enhance natural ingredient flavors.

• Ground Cumin, Ground Coriander: Select fresh, fragrant spices from reputable spice vendors for intense, vibrant flavor profiles.
• Grains of Paradise: Look for whole or ground spices from specialty spice shops for this unique, peppery accent.
• Olive Oil: Choose extra virgin olive oil for rich, fruity undertones and smooth finishing quality.

Tools to Make Alton Brown’s Lentil Soup Recipe

• Dutch oven: Large, heavy pot perfect for slow cooking and simmering soups.
• Immersion blender: Handheld device for pureeing soup directly in the pot, creating smooth textures.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for chopping vegetables safely and efficiently.
• Chef's knife: Sharp kitchen tool for precise vegetable dicing.
• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately portioning broth and tracking ingredient quantities.
• Wooden spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching pot surfaces.
• Can opener: Needed for opening canned tomatoes smoothly.
• Ladle: Helpful for serving soup evenly and neatly.
• Standard blender (alternative): Backup option for pureeing soup if immersion blender isn't available.

Hearty Alton Brown Lentil Soup Recipe

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4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s hearty lentil soup blends Mediterranean flavors with rustic comfort. Packed with aromatic herbs and nutritious ingredients, this simple yet satisfying dish promises warmth and nourishment for hungry diners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) lentils, picked and rinsed
• 2 quarts (1.9 L) chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (240 ml) peeled and chopped tomatoes
• 1 cup finely chopped onion
• ½ cup finely chopped carrot
• ½ cup finely chopped celery
• 2 tsps (10 g) kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground coriander
• ½ tsp freshly ground toasted cumin
• ½ tsp freshly ground grains of paradise

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Instructions

1. Vegetable Preparation: Dice carrots, chop celery, and slice onions into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution.
2. Sautéing Foundation: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium temperature, then gently sauté vegetables with a pinch of salt until onions become translucent and develop a subtle golden hue, approximately 6-7 minutes.
3. Liquid Integration: Add lentils, tomatoes, broth, cumin, coriander, and grains of paradise into the aromatic vegetable base, stirring to create a harmonious mixture that allows ingredients to meld together seamlessly.
4. Simmering Process: Elevate heat to trigger a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce to low, covering the pot to allow gentle simmering for 35-40 minutes until lentils reach a perfectly tender consistency.
5. Texture Transformation: Deploy an immersion blender to metamorphose the soup into a velvety, smooth composition, breaking down vegetables and lentils into a luxurious, uniform texture that promises rich, complex flavors.

Notes

• Optimize Vegetable Sautéing: Precisely dice vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout the soup.
• Perfect Lentil Tenderness: Monitor lentils closely during simmering to achieve ideal soft texture without becoming mushy or losing structural integrity.
• Blending Technique: Use immersion blender cautiously, creating a partly smooth consistency that retains some lentil and vegetable texture for enhanced mouthfeel.
• Spice Balance: Toast cumin and coriander briefly before adding to intensify their aromatic compounds and deepen the soup’s overall flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 12 g
• Protein: 10 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg