Smoky Lentil Sweet Potato Soup | Vegan Recipe by Tori Avey

Smoky Lentil Sweet Potato Soup Recipe – Hearty, Flavorful Vegan Soup with Red Lentils, Yam Chunks, and Spices.

Lentils may be popular now, but that wasn’t always the case. During Classical times wealthy Greeks turned their nose up at lentils, deeming them a “poor man’s food.” Hippocrates, always ahead of his time, recognized their many health benefits and prescribed lentils to his patients that suffered from liver ailments. We now know that the high amounts of choline found in lentils help to improve liver function by aiding in filtering toxins from out of the bloodstream. Though lentils have been a food staple in the Middle East and Mediterranean for centuries, they didn’t really catch on in the U.S. until World War II, when they became a popular meat substitute during wartime rationing.

Lentils make a filling meat substitute in many dishes. If you’re suspicious, my Vegan Lentil Cauliflower Tacos will probably convince you. They are fantastic in this Smoky Lentil Sweet Potato Soup, which is hearty enough to serve as an entree. It’s naturally vegan, though if you don’t mind dairy I suggest topping it with a spoonful of Greek yogurt or labaneh. Yum!

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Sauce Pot

 Beauty shots and styling by Bethany Nauert.

Smoky Lentil Sweet Potato Soup

Hearty, flavorful vegan soup with red lentils, sweet potato yam chunks, and spices. Easy to make in 1 hour.

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COURSE: Soup

Kosher Key: Parve

Servings: 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 whole large onion diced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 quart vegetable stock
• 3 cups water
• 1 1/3 cups dry red lentils
• 2 1/2 cups sweet potatoes peeled and diced (about 1 large or 2-3 small sweet potatoes)
• Lemon wedges (optional garnish)
• Parsley (optional garnish)

NOTES

You will also need: Large sauce pot

Note: If you prefer a thicker soup, you can continue to cook, uncovered, for an additional 10 minutes to reduce some of the liquid. If you prefer a smooth soup you can place the soup in a blender and blend until smooth, or pulse with an immersion blender until you reach desired consistency.

Instructions

• Heat the olive oil in the bottom of a large sauce pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and salt and cook until onions are soft and translucent. 
  
• Add the spices and cook until fragrant.
  
  
• Add the stock, water, lentils and diced sweet potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover, leaving a small portion of the pot vented.
  
  
• Cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils and sweet potatoes are tender. You can leave the soup chunky, or use an immersion blender for a smoother puree-like texture. Serve hot, garnished with lemon and parsley if desired. If you're not avoiding dairy, this soup is also fantastic served with a dollop of Greek yogurt or labaneh.
  
  

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Smoky Lentil Sweet Potato Soup

Amount Per Serving

Calories 165 Calories from Fat 18

% Daily Value*

Fat 2g3%

Sodium 794mg35%

Potassium 442mg13%

Carbohydrates 28g9%

Fiber 10g42%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 8g16%

Vitamin A 6405IU128%

Vitamin C 2.7mg3%

Calcium 34mg3%

Iron 2.8mg16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

tried this recipe?
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