When I visited Julie's blog at Julie's Creative Lifestyle, she shared an Instant Pot Split Pea Soup. I thought that sounded perfect for Lent. Then I was at Aldi, and they had lentils for 95 cents a bag, and I bought those, and found a recipe that is so tasty. The soup is vegan when not adding any cheese at the end. However, I added Parmesan cheese and a shredded Mexican blend cheese to add some more protein.
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
This soup is so tasty, and a perfect meal for Lent. It's also a vegan recipe, unless you serve with additional cheese . I used my 6 qt. Duo Instant Pot.
ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 of a large onion, diced small
- 4 medium carrots (or the equivalent of baby carrots) , peeled and diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- about 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 and 1/2 cups green lentils
- 4 cloves garlic, pressed (about 4 teaspoons)
- 1 (15 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (the next time I will add 2 more cups of broth to make the soup more "soupy")
- Chopped fresh parsley, or a sprinkle of dried parsley flakes, for serving
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and Mexican blend, optional for serving
instructions:
How to cook Instant Pot Lentil Soup
- Drizzle the oil into the Instant Pot. Set to SAUTE. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and stir. Continue to cook the onion, stirring often, until the onions are very soft and beginning to brown and break down, about 8 minutes.
- Add the carrots, celery, thyme, salt, smoked paprika, and pepper. Sauté until the carrots and celery are barely soft, about 2 minutes.
- Add the lentils and garlic to the pot and stir to coat them in the spices. Let cook 30 seconds, until the garlic is fragrant. Add the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and vegetable broth.
- Cover and seal the Instant Pot, making sure that the steam release handle is in "seal" position, and then set to cook on HIGH pressure for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes of high pressure, allow the cooker to naturally release (NR). This will take about 10 to 15 additional minutes. for the valve to drop.
- Open the lid and stir the soup. If the soup is too thick for your liking, thin with a bit of water or additional stock until you reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust the seasonings as desired. Serve hot with a sprinkle of parsley, Parmesan, and grated Mexican blend cheese, if desired.
I didn't show my birthday cake from last week. My daughter-in-law, Kristen made a from scratch Coconut Cake. It was Harper's idea to add all my grandchildren on top. Wasn't that sweet?? My son, Mike, had created these characters several years ago, and Kristen copied them and cut them out.
It's always fun to share a birthday and have the grands help blow out the candles! Harper thinks I'm "17"!! She reversed the numbers on the birthday card that she made for me, but I love it!!
I continued to celebrated my birthday, and this time with my oldest son, daughter-in-law and my two granddaughters at a favorite Italian restaurant. It was a wonderful time to be with all of them.
I am sharing this with these lovely parties:
You have had the best birthday, Kitty. Love your birthday cake and the pictures of your grands on top. Lovely photos of your family. That instant pot lentil soup looks like delicious comfort food.
ReplyDeleteI love the addition of smoked paprika Kitty, sounds good! Cute cake topper:@)
ReplyDeleteKitty, You're a beautiful 17 year old! Love the cake toppers! I love the addition of the fire roasted tomatoes in your lentil soup recipe. I'll have to try a slow cooker version. Keep on celebrating. :) ♥
ReplyDeleteHi Kitty, thanks so much for mentioning my blog and the IP pea soup recipe! I am so glad that you were inspired to make the IP lentil soup and yours look so good. I will have to try out your version. Your birthday cake looked so good and I love the characters your son made. You have a talented family and looks like you all had a fun dinner celebrating your birthday! Hope you have a nice week. :)
ReplyDeleteThe soup sounds wonderful on this very rainy day! Your birthday cake is adorable, and I am all for reversing the numbers 😂 I love seeing the baby blowing the candles out with you, how sweet!!
ReplyDeleteJenna
Adorable celebration!Your birthday cake is fantastic and unique!Thank you for the recipe too.Hugs and blessings!
ReplyDeleteWhat a darling cake for a beautiful lady! The little characters are so perfect and your son is very creative. Happy Birthday, dear friend! The lentil soup looks delicious. I would definitely add the cheese too. Hugs and Happy March!
ReplyDeleteKitty, I don't think I've had lentils before. Your recipe looks delicious though. I may have to buy some next time I am at the grocery store. That coconut cake looks so good and the toppers are adorable! Happy Times! xo
ReplyDeleteYou are the most amazing 17 year old ever! You certainly are making it look fantastic. I don’t believe that I have ever eaten lentil soup or lentil anything.
ReplyDeleteYour lentil soup looks delicious Kitty. I'll be pinning the recipe. Oh what a great coconut cake made just for you. I love coconut cake and that one looks so good, I'm betting it was too! Precious the way the grands pics are on top. The perfect dinner, with your family. I always enjoy your happy photos..........
ReplyDeleteI love soup all year round and this looks so good Kitty. You cook and bake the best stuff girl. What a great birthday you have had! Love how you've been celebrated. That cake....now that is one clever idea! I haven't made a coconut cake in a long time. Love the pictures. Happy birthday again dear lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteYour coconut cake looks fabulous! I love how the decor is meaningful, but easy to create!
ReplyDeleteHooray for being 17 again! The soup looks delicious, but the cake is gorgeous! Your talent has been passed down to your family. The "family" on top is so great! Hugs, Lorrie.
ReplyDeleteYour soup sounds great--no instant pot here (yet). That cake looks fantastic and I love the cutouts of all the kids on there. What a fun celebration! xo Diana
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday, sweet friend! It is so wonderful that you were able to be with your dear loved ones, and it is quite obvious how deeply you are loved! May the Lord bless you with many, many more happy, healthy birthdays!
ReplyDeleteWonderful soup Kitty. The coconut cake looks wonderful. How special for family to celebrate you. Happy belated birthday dear Kitty.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet celebration, Kitty! The cake looks delicious and love the little family characters! The soup looks really good - I think I need an instant pot. I would never guess your true age - you look so young. Glad you had such a nice birthday. Sending hugs xo Karen
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Kitty, looks like you had a fantastic celebration of your precious family. Your Lentil Soup looks so comforting, today, I think we are all looking for a little comfort. Kitty, you be careful and take care of yourself, looks like that virus is getting closer to you'al. Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday and come back to see us soon!
ReplyDeleteMiz Helen
I love lentil soup and just bought everything to make some soon. Your birthday cake looks gorgeous and I love the grandchildren on top ♥
ReplyDelete