Carrot and lentil soup
Instructions
Adjust the consistency
To make your soup thinner, stir in extra broth or water until it is just right. If you want it thicker, like a stew, use less liquid than the recipe suggests. This makes it richer and fuller. For more texture, do not blend it completely – leave some chunks for a homemade feel.
Using a slow cooker
You can easily prepare carrot and lentil soup in a slow cooker, which is perfect for those seeking convenience and richly developed flavours. Start by following the initial steps, such as cooking the lentils and sautéing the vegetables with dill seeds. Then, transfer the mixture into the slow cooker, add the vegetable broth, and set it to cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. This allows the flavours to blend well, creating a richer and more intense flavour. Before serving, blend the soup until it has the right consistency.
FAQ: Questions about carrot and lentil soup
This carrot and lentil soup may be humble but still packs plenty of flavour. Read our answers to commonly asked questions about it below before you get started with the recipe.
Ingredients
|
Beluga lentils or green lentils
|
100 ml |
|---|---|
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Carrots
|
1 kilo |
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Yellow onion
|
1 |
|
Garlic cloves
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3 |
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Dill seeds
|
½ tbsp |
|
Butter
|
2 tbsp |
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Vegetable broth
|
800 ml |
|
Orange and blood orange juice
|
200 ml |
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Salt
|
|
|
Black pepper
|
|
|
Rapeseed oil
|
200 ml |
Embrace the taste of our colourful carrot and lentil soup
Savour the exciting flavours of our colourful carrot and lentil soup. This recipe combines the sweet warmth of carrots with the hearty fullness of lentils, topped off with crunchy carrot strips. It is a simple yet impressive dish that packs each spoonful with rich flavours and satisfying textures. Perfect for a family meal that looks as good as it tastes!
Are you loving the lentils in this recipe? Try our recipes for ham and lentil soup, lentil and vegetable soup, or tomato and lentil soup with croutons. Or maybe you prefer soups with carrots? Check out our carrot and ginger soup and colourful carrot soup.
Refreshing brightness from orange juice and aromatic warmth from dill seeds
The inclusion of both orange juice and dill seeds creates a delightfully fresh, tangy, and earthy flavour. The citrusy notes of the orange and blood orange juice add a subtle sweetness and a refreshing zest that brightens the flavour of the soup. Blood orange, in particular, also contributes a slight raspberry-like undertone that makes the taste a tad bit more intriguing. This complements the natural sweetness of the carrots but also adds a layer of complexity to the earthy tones of the lentils.
The dill seeds introduce a slightly aromatic and grassy element that pairs wonderfully with the more robust flavours of the other ingredients. Their distinctive taste contributes a hint of sharpness, which cuts through the richness of the soup and brings about a pleasing contrast.
Topped with crispy carrot strips
Add a special touch to your carrot and lentil soup with crispy carrot strips. By slicing the carrots thinly, you can place them on top to decorate the soup beautifully. The carrot strips are salted in water and fried in rapeseed oil to turn them golden and enticingly crispy. As they are fried, they caramelise, giving them a pronounced sweetness. This is a simple and easy way to add an impressive finish while keeping the carrots in the spotlight.
Enjoy as a main or starter
Our recipe has been made in such a way that it is perfect whether you are looking for a main dish or a humble meal to start out the evening. With its bright, citrusy notes and earthy freshness, the soup can easily be introduced as a starter. The hearty lentils also add enough flavour and bite to make it stand on its own as a lighter dinner.
Experiment with the recipe
Play around with the recipe and tailor it to your liking. Try swapping the orange juice for lime juice to give the soup a sharper, more zesty flavour. Consider roasting vegetables like sweet red pepper or aubergine and blend them along with the carrots. They provide a smoky sweetness that complements the carrots.
Introduce a Moroccan twist by replacing the dill seeds with a few teaspoons of harissa paste. Harissa paste adds a smoky note and subtle heat that fits perfectly with the earthy sweetness of the carrots. If you enjoy spicier flavours, add chilli flakes, cumin, or fresh chilli.
