Ingredients
Vegetables
- 3 red bell peppers, cored and quartered
- 2 onions, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Pantry
- 3 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup red lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
Finishing
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a large baking sheet for roasting the peppers.
- Roast Peppers: Arrange the quartered red bell peppers on the baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and gently toss to coat evenly. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the peppers are tender and slightly charred.
- Sauté Onions: While the peppers roast, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onions and sauté for 6 to 7 minutes until they become tender and translucent, stirring occasionally.
- Add Aromatics: Stir in the minced garlic, smoked paprika, and salt with the onions. Cook for an additional minute until fragrant to release the flavors.
- Add Lentils and Tomato Paste: Incorporate the red lentils and tomato paste into the onion mixture and stir to combine. Pour in the vegetable broth and mix well.
- Simmer Soup: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes until the lentils are tender and cooked through.
- Blend Soup: Add the roasted red peppers to the cooked soup. Using an immersion blender or a regular blender in batches, purée the soup until smooth. If the soup is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding extra broth or water as needed.
- Finish and Season: Return the blended soup to the pot. Stir in the fresh lemon juice, then taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired.
- Serve or Store: Serve the soup immediately while warm, or let it cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
- You can roast the peppers under the broiler if you want them more charred for a smokier flavor.
- Adjust the thickness of the soup by adding more broth or water after blending to your preference.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper along with the smoked paprika.
- This soup freezes well; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Serve with crusty bread or a dollop of yogurt for added richness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Roasting and Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian