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Lucky Lentil and Collard Greens Soup

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A smoky, hearty lentil and collard greens soup built for a lucky New Year’s dinner or any cold weeknight.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 bunch collard greens, stems chopped small and leaves chopped separately (about 6 cups chopped leaves)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 8 ounces diced ham or sliced smoked kielbasa (optional)
  • 1 cup dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and the chopped collard stems. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the onion is soft and translucent.
  2. Add the garlic and the ham or kielbasa, if using, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the lentils, bay leaf, smoked paprika, cumin, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, until the lentils are just tender but still holding their shape.
  4. Stir in the chopped collard leaves and the diced tomatoes. Simmer for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the leaves are tender but still bright green.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat and discard the bay leaf. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Ladle into bowls and serve hot.

Notes

Chop the collard stems small, no bigger than a diced carrot, so they soften in the same time as the lentils. For a smokier broth without meat, stir in a few drops of liquid smoke with the broth in step 3.

Find it online: https://www.receipster.com/lentil-collard-greens-soup/