Lentil Soup with Smoky Ham
Serves 8
Time 1 hr 15 min
What to do with that leftover Easter ham? This lentil soup is the perfect way to enjoy its rich smokiness long after the egg hunt is over.
Special Diets:
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried green lentils
- 1/2 cup dried French lentils
- 1 (14.0-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their liquid
- 1 cup finely chopped ham
- 1 ham bone (optional)
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme, plus 1 tablespoon chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Balsamic vinegar (for garnish)
Method
Heat oil in large soup pot. Add garlic, carrots, celery and onion and cook until soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
Stir in green and French lentils, tomatoes, ham, ham bone (if using), 6 sprigs fresh thyme, dried thyme, rosemary, sage, tarragon and bay leaf.
Add 1 quart of the broth then cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
Stir contents of pot then cover again and simmer, adding more broth as needed to maintain a soupy consistency, 30 to 45 minutes longer, or until lentils are soft and tomatoes are broken down.
Remove and discard fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaf and ham bone, then stir in chopped fresh thyme and pepper.
Ladle into bowls and garnish with drizzles of oil and balsamic vinegar and thyme sprigs.
Nutritional Info:
Per serving: 160 calories (30 from fat), 3.5g total fat, 0g saturated fat, 15mg cholesterol, 420mg sodium, 22g carbohydrates (6g dietary fiber, 5g sugar), 11g protein.
Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember - we're cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information.
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Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup dried green lentils
- 1/2 cup dried French lentils
- 1 (14.0-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with their liquid
- 1 cup finely chopped ham
- 1 ham bone (optional)
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme, plus 1 tablespoon chopped, plus more for garnish
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 quarts low-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Balsamic vinegar (for garnish)