Sopa de Lentejas is a standard in a lot of Colombian kitchens, the chorizo sausage gives the soup extra flavor. This is a very substantial soup that would make a meal-in-a-bowl served with white rice.
INGREDIENTS
(4 SERVINGS)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 cup chorizo, sliced
½ cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
¼ cup chopped scallions
½ cup chopped tomatoes
5 cups water
1 ¼ cup dried lentils
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ cup grated carrots
½ cup potato, cuted into bite-sized pieces
¼ teaspoon cumin powder
CILANTRO CREAM (optional)
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
In a small bowl, mixed the heavy cream with chopped cilantro and lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
DIRECTIONS
1. Cook the chorizo in the oil in a large pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the chorizo to a plate lined with paper towel.
2. Add the carrots, onion, garlic, tomato and scallions to the pot, season with salt and pepper. Cook stirring occasionally about 12 minutes. Stir in the cumin and cook 1 more minute.
3. Add the lentils and water, bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium low, cover and cook until the lentils become tender but not mushy about 45 minutes.
4. Add chorizo and potatoes, cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes are fully cooked and fork tender, thin with water if necessary. Ladle into soup bowls and top with cream if using and serve immediately.
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5 Star Foodie
on Mar 29th, 2009
@ 8:26 AM:
I love chorizo sausage and would really love this soup – it sounds excellent!
bakergirlcreations
on Mar 30th, 2009
@ 11:06 PM:
Love chorizo and have been looking for a new lentil soup to try! Sounds good.
Kimberly
on Sep 26th, 2009
@ 9:03 PM:
Thank you! This soup was PERFECT! My husband really enjoyed it.
Erica
on Sep 27th, 2009
@ 7:25 AM:
Hi Kimberly,
Thank you very much for your feedback
Bruce
on Feb 28th, 2010
@ 12:27 PM:
Delicious! I made this for my Colombian wife while she was at work on a cold winter day. When she arrived home and tasted this soup, she was in heaven. Thank you Kimberly.
Lori
on Mar 9th, 2010
@ 9:54 AM:
I made this soup for my family and we loved it. I followed all the steps and it was perfect.
PJ
on May 17th, 2010
@ 6:03 PM:
This soup is filling my house with a lovely scent! I make a soup to share with the working parents who come to my knitting group every Monday, so I am always on the lookout for a new twist on an old favorite. This is delicious with or without the cilantro cream. Thank you for putting Colombian recipes within reach and helping us make them taste authentic.
You take me back to my college roommate’s mother’s house in Bogota. Arepas for breakfast, soups for lunch, onces and other treats fill my memories. Now I can make them for my family and take them with me down memory lane. Muchas Gracias!
Denise Williams
on Jun 13th, 2010
@ 7:55 AM:
Thanks so much Erica for this recipe. My daughter-in-law is Colombian and she makes this for us all the time and we love the dish. I’ll be able to surprise her with it for a change. She also uses a ham hock and cooks it with soaked lentils for an hour and a half before adding the other ingredients.
It’s always absolutely delicious.