Lentil & Root Veggie Soup
French green lentils and black lentils hold up well to long, slow cooking without becoming mushy. Save the rinds from used-up blocks of Parmesan in a resealable plastic bag or tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. They give soup broths a rich, savory flavor.
Ingredients
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3 cups chopped peeled celeriac (celery root)
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2 cups chopped parsnips
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1 cup chopped carrot
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1 cup frozen pearl onions
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1 stalk celery, chopped
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2 medium plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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2 teaspoons herbes de Provence
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8 cups low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
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1 cup French green lentils or black lentils, rinsed
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1 sprig fresh rosemary
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1 tablespoon (3 inch) rind Parmesan cheese plus 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan, divided
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1 medium bay leaf
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon ground pepper
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4 ounces pancetta, crisp-cooked and crumbled (Optional)
Description
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Combine celeriac, parsnips, carrot, pearl onions, celery, tomatoes, garlic and herbes de Provence in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Add broth, lentils, rosemary, Parmesan rind, bay leaf, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on High 4 1/2 hours or on Low for 8 hours.
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Remove the rosemary, Parmesan rind and bay leaf. Serve the soup topped with shredded cheese and garnished with pancetta, if desired.