Sopa de Lentejas (Andalucian Lentil Soup)

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

Lentils are cooked with green bell peppers, tomatoes, Spanish chorizo sausage, and potatoes in this versatile, hearty soup. Add carrots or other vegetables if you like.

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups dry brown lentils, soaked overnight and drained
2 slices bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
2 links Spanish chorizo sausage, casing removed, chopped
1 bay leaf
2 cups water, or as needed
2 potatoes, peeled and cubed

Directions

1 Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the bacon just until it starts to brown a bit, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the olive oil, onion, and bell pepper; cook and stir until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes.
2 Stir in the garlic, tomatoes, sausage, and bay leaf; cook about 4 minutes. Add lentils and water (water should be about an inch deeper than the level of the lentils). Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer, uncovered, until lentils are just cooked, 15 to 20 minutes.
3 Put the potatoes into the soup and continue simmering until potatoes are cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes.