Not much to look at perhaps but this is genuinely one of our favourite soup recipes. It makes a big potful and it’s really tasty, perfect for weekday lunches.
Red lentil and bacon soup – serves 6
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- 75g smoked back bacon, finely chopped
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 red pepper, finely chopped
- 1 small sweet potato, finely diced
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 200g red lentils, rinsed
- 1.5 litres hot chicken or vegetable stock
- a large sprig of thyme
- 1 bay leaf
Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the bacon, onion and red pepper. Cook on a low heat for 5 minutes or until the veg has started to soften. Add the sweet potato, garlic and lentils and stir for another couple of minutes.
Pour the hot stock into the pan, add the herbs and season well with salt and pepper.
Turn the heat up and bring to the boil, then cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are soft.
(Original recipe from The Hairy Bikers’ British Classics by Si King & Dave Myers, Seven Dials, 2018.)
Jono & Jules do food & wine 