Description
Hearty Scottish lentil soup mingles smoky ham and earthy green lentils in a comforting Highland-inspired bowl. Warm spices and rustic vegetables create a soul-satisfying meal that connects you to Scotland’s culinary heritage.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups (375 ml) red lentils, rinsed
- 6 cups (1.4 liters) vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 potato, peeled and diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
Cooking and Optional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the cooking vessel over medium heat, introducing butter or olive oil to create a flavorful base.
- Gently tumble chopped onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes into the pot, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence for approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and sprinkle in seasonings like salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme, letting the spices bloom and intensify for a brief moment.
- Pour in vibrant red lentils, rich vegetable broth, a fragrant bay leaf, and optional tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce to build depth of flavor.
- Encourage the mixture to reach a gentle boil, then reduce the temperature, allowing the soup to simmer peacefully for 30-35 minutes while occasionally stirring.
- Monitor the soup’s consistency, standing ready to incorporate additional broth or water if the texture becomes too dense.
- For those desiring a silkier profile, employ an immersion blender to partially transform the soup’s texture, creating a harmonious blend of whole and smooth elements.
- Extract the bay leaf, ensuring no unwelcome remnants remain in the final presentation.
- Embellish with fresh parsley and present alongside rustic accompaniments like crusty bread, traditional oatcakes, or a slice of Scottish bannock.
Notes
- Enhance vegetable softening by finely dicing ingredients for even, quick cooking and better flavor absorption.
- Consider using smoked paprika for an authentic Scottish depth of flavor that complements the earthy lentils.
- Swap butter with olive oil or vegetable stock for a vegan-friendly version without losing richness and warmth.
- Add a splash of whisky during sautéing for a traditional Scottish twist that elevates the soup’s complexity and aroma.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Scottish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg