Excellent recipe!!! Two thumbs up!! My husband had two helpings. It's an extremely versatile soup. I used Za'atar for my first time and loved it. Bravo!!!!
This soup looks delicious. I've been looking for more recipes that include lentils— I can't wait to try this soup. Thank you so much Ruth and the substitution ideas as well. I hope your week is off to a great start!
Thanks, Julie! Lentils are really great--and I did forget to say that you really could try this soup with other types. Each kind would make the soup different--and you could add or subtract spices and veggies as your tastebuds and instincts direct.
Beautiful writing about your mother’s soup, Ruth. My stomach is literally growling after reading it! There are few things in this world better than hot, thick soup on a cold day!
Modern me, about five years ago made the transition to a mostly plant-based diet. The largest pivot was to make lots of beans and lentils and forego the cans. Your “before cooking” picture was everything I look for in my diet nowadays. A fantastic range of colors and textures. Tina’s recipe sounds great.
Thanks so much, Mark! I'm trying to head more toward a plant-based diet in 2024. No resolutions, just less meat, more veggies and legumes. We'll see how that goes. Hope your year is going well so far!
Okay now I’m making lentil soup next! Yum Ruth! You always make me hungry with your lovely way of describing your food memories and sharing the how to’s - can’t wait to make and enjoy them too! Too funny bout Mr Swankie Frankie’s (Jeff!) particulars!
Thanks, Mindy! You made me hungry with your latest soup picture of that delicious looking matzo ball soup! That may have to be my next soup--unless Jeff insists on tortilla--AGAIN!
I sometimes add butternut squash or a turnip to lentil soup, in addition to the standard carrots, onions, celery & potato. Have never tried parsnip ~ what a good idea! Happy New Year, Ruth!
Thanks, Domenica! I think butternut squash or turnip would be really good in the soup. This was a first with a parsnip, and it did add something quite special. Happy New Year to you too!
This lentil reminds me of the one my mom used to make, sans parsnip--the root vegetables of which I am not a big fan, sorry to say. I think I need to further investigate black lentils...
Yes, Amie, I think I’m with you re turnips. Perhaps in the smallest quantities, they might be good in certain soups, but too much could make the soup a bit sweet for my taste. Same with carrots, though I like them better. As with all things, it’s a matter of proportion. Black lentils are really fun--great in a soup, salad or side dish.
My childhood always had a ham bone instead of a beef shank - probably bc i was raised on a hog farm, lol! I like the simplicity of your recipe and will let you know how the ham bone turned out
Thanks, Rick! I'd love to hear how it turns out with a ham bone. I'm sure that would add a lot of great flavor to this soup. A friend of mine wrote me that she made a barley soup with a leftover hambone and how very excellent it was. I imagine this would be just as good.
I love soup! I like how everything cooks in one pot and it provides for more than one meal. That is a good tip about adding lemon if something is too sweet. I am writing about soup this week as well.
I agree that lentils are so perfect because they cook quickly. I generally add some spinach to my lentil soup. I'm going to try the spices that you use! Thanks, Ruth.
I just discovered you thru this comment thread and am in love with your Substack. I'm def on board with art and food - as a Chef I strongly believe that half the meal is eaten with the eye. You prove the case!
Good to hear from a fellow soup lover! I’m with you on the benefits of cooking everything in a single pot and enjoying it for several meals. It’s why I always make a big batch of soup, I can’t wait to read your post, Vicki!
Will do!
Trying this today!
Please let me know how it works out!
Excellent recipe!!! Two thumbs up!! My husband had two helpings. It's an extremely versatile soup. I used Za'atar for my first time and loved it. Bravo!!!!
Oh, that’s high praise—thanks! I love Za’atar and have been adding it to quite a number of dishes lately.
I'm sure it will! And now I've discovered you's and it's so wonderful. THANK YOU VICKI!!
Followed Vicki Smith's advice and came over...so glad I did! Thank you for giving me soups to make this weekend!
Thanks, Pat (and Vicki!). Hope the soups turn out well! Of course now I've discovered your newsletter--what a bonus!🤗
This soup looks delicious. I've been looking for more recipes that include lentils— I can't wait to try this soup. Thank you so much Ruth and the substitution ideas as well. I hope your week is off to a great start!
Thanks, Julie! Lentils are really great--and I did forget to say that you really could try this soup with other types. Each kind would make the soup different--and you could add or subtract spices and veggies as your tastebuds and instincts direct.
Oh I love this— great to experiment. :) Thanks again.
Beautiful writing about your mother’s soup, Ruth. My stomach is literally growling after reading it! There are few things in this world better than hot, thick soup on a cold day!
Thanks so very much for your kind words, Sam! I totally agree about the virtues of hot, thick soup on a cold day!
Modern me, about five years ago made the transition to a mostly plant-based diet. The largest pivot was to make lots of beans and lentils and forego the cans. Your “before cooking” picture was everything I look for in my diet nowadays. A fantastic range of colors and textures. Tina’s recipe sounds great.
Thanks so much, Mark! I'm trying to head more toward a plant-based diet in 2024. No resolutions, just less meat, more veggies and legumes. We'll see how that goes. Hope your year is going well so far!
Good tips and tasty recipes. Beans are in! Thank you Ruth.
Thanks, Sally! Yes, beans and lentils--a good way to start the new year! Hope yours is a happy and lucky one!🤗
Okay now I’m making lentil soup next! Yum Ruth! You always make me hungry with your lovely way of describing your food memories and sharing the how to’s - can’t wait to make and enjoy them too! Too funny bout Mr Swankie Frankie’s (Jeff!) particulars!
Thanks, Mindy! You made me hungry with your latest soup picture of that delicious looking matzo ball soup! That may have to be my next soup--unless Jeff insists on tortilla--AGAIN!
I sometimes add butternut squash or a turnip to lentil soup, in addition to the standard carrots, onions, celery & potato. Have never tried parsnip ~ what a good idea! Happy New Year, Ruth!
Thanks, Domenica! I think butternut squash or turnip would be really good in the soup. This was a first with a parsnip, and it did add something quite special. Happy New Year to you too!
Thanks @Ethan D. Chorin!
This lentil reminds me of the one my mom used to make, sans parsnip--the root vegetables of which I am not a big fan, sorry to say. I think I need to further investigate black lentils...
Yes, Amie, I think I’m with you re turnips. Perhaps in the smallest quantities, they might be good in certain soups, but too much could make the soup a bit sweet for my taste. Same with carrots, though I like them better. As with all things, it’s a matter of proportion. Black lentils are really fun--great in a soup, salad or side dish.
Lentil soup is one of my favorites, Ruth! And I always love hearing about and seeing photos of your family. Thanks for this! 🤗
You're so welcome, Jolene! Just felt like the right time of year for this soup. And, of course, it was always a family favorite--and still is.
yum! thank you for the warm pick up in winter.
Thanks, Julia!
My childhood always had a ham bone instead of a beef shank - probably bc i was raised on a hog farm, lol! I like the simplicity of your recipe and will let you know how the ham bone turned out
Thanks, Rick! I'd love to hear how it turns out with a ham bone. I'm sure that would add a lot of great flavor to this soup. A friend of mine wrote me that she made a barley soup with a leftover hambone and how very excellent it was. I imagine this would be just as good.
I love soup! I like how everything cooks in one pot and it provides for more than one meal. That is a good tip about adding lemon if something is too sweet. I am writing about soup this week as well.
I agree that lentils are so perfect because they cook quickly. I generally add some spinach to my lentil soup. I'm going to try the spices that you use! Thanks, Ruth.
I just discovered you thru this comment thread and am in love with your Substack. I'm def on board with art and food - as a Chef I strongly believe that half the meal is eaten with the eye. You prove the case!
Thank you so much!
Good to hear from a fellow soup lover! I’m with you on the benefits of cooking everything in a single pot and enjoying it for several meals. It’s why I always make a big batch of soup, I can’t wait to read your post, Vicki!