Sopa de Lentejas (Andalucian Lentil Soup)

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.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 55 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 288 Calories

Ingredients

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

Recipe Instructions

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 3

Put the potatoes into the soup and continue simmering until potatoes are cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes.