Sunday 27 January 2008

Brown Lentil, Smoked Bacon and Swede Soup

Brown Lentil, Smoked Bacon and Swede Soup
Feeds 4

1 onion, chopped
2 sticks of celery, diced
2 cloves of garlic, sliced
4 rashers of lean smoked bacon, rind removed
2 tbsp olive or rapeseed oil
A pinch of chilli flakes
A few sprigs of fresh thyme, leaves removed, or 1 tbsp dried thyme
1 small swede, peeled and cut into small cubes
250g brown lentils
A good splash of Worcester Sauce
500ml hot vegetable stock, fresh or from cube (if cubed, ensure it is the low salt variety)

1 - In a large pan, heat up the oil. Add the onion, celery, garlic and bacon and cook for 5-10 minutes until softened and beginning to colour.
2 - Add the thyme and chilli flakes and stir for 1 minute. Then add the turnip, Worcester Sauce, lentil and stock. Bring to the boil then lower the heat and simmer with the lid on for 25-30 minutes. Check to ensure that it isn't boiling dry.
3 - Serve with good a swirl of yoghurt, heart shaped if you like.

12 comments:

Wendy said...

My partner is wild about lentil and bacon soups. Will have to make this for him.
I find that when I'm really busy (like this killer term) I tend to make my tried and trusted favourites - most of which I've blogged about already. There will come a day in the near future where I'll be struggling to post a new recipe!

Joanna said...

Thanks David ... you're right, blog it all, because there are so many different levels of experience amongst the readers of any blog, and because we all need inspiration, and because even the most experienced cooks have gaps in their knowledge ... and because this is a great soup, just that little bit different from the one I make ... I'd never had thought to put chilli in, and it was only this week that I found that there's quite a lot of evidence that eating chilli is good for the heart.

Thanks for sharing
Joanna

Anonymous said...

There is nothing wrong with simple. Even with simple things we can find new ideas through what is shared. I have made lentil soups but have never thought of including swedes. Thanks for sharing.

Sagari said...

soup looks sooo comforting

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Food doesn't have to be fancy to get our interest. Most often we are just looking for some inspiration with our daily meals. We can get into a rut sometimes.

aforkfulofspaghetti said...

I'm all for hearty, earthy soups like this - they really can be the most delicious. Thanks for flagging up the recipe!

Rosie said...

A real comfort soup you have made here David!! Thanks for sharing :D

Rosie x

Anonymous said...

Definitely share your everyday recipes ....great to have your advice and suggestions for day-to-day cooking. Eg I make a lot of soups and, beyond mashing with carrot, never know what to do with the swede in the veg bag...so great to have this inspiration. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Loving this soup David, simple cheap ingredients, I made a panful last night & it tastes even better today.

The debate on the difference between turnip & swede still continues on the BBC food messageboards. Brought up in Sunderland I only ever knew of one type, the dark purplish thick-skinned one which we called turnip, & that's the one I used.

Nice surprise seeing you on TV "Cooking the Books" last night, although I had to look twice, I think your hair is different from when we last saw you on Masterchef, you looked really well.

Have to say I didn't much like the look of Gino's white ragu - seemed wrong somehow :-( and do they really only give you a few seconds to taste the two dishes before the verdict is announced?

David Hall said...

Hi Alison

I've lost a few pounds since MasterChef! Hopefully that is the difference. Older and uglier perhaps?

Yes, few seconds of tasting and the verdict is required, all pretty fast paced. It may not have looked good but tasted fantastic!

Cheers
David

Ed Bruske said...

This is a terrific looking soup, alright, David. I can taste it. I've had lentils on my mind for a while, and this is just what the doctor ordered.

amycaseycooks said...

I love lentil soup and all the variations it lends itself too. I am going to try your recipe - I may need to add some spicy chicken sausage too.

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