There’s nothing quite like a warm bowl of soup to lift your spirits on a down day. This ultimate comfort soup, brimming with veggies and flavors, is not only nourishing for the body but also soothing for the soul. Packed with a medley of vegetables like fennel, carrots, white onion, garlic, celery, mushrooms, and spinach, and combined with hearty lentils in a rich chicken broth, it’s a hug in a bowl. Optionally, you can add pasta to make it even more satisfying.
Ingredients
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup lentils
- 1 cup pasta (optional)
- 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups spinach, roughly chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A pinch of chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pot, sauté onion, garlic, carrots, celery, and fennel until they start to soften.
- Add Broth and Lentils: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the lentils (and pasta if using), then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils (and pasta) are tender.
- Add Remaining Veggies: Add the mushrooms and continue to simmer. Finally, stir in the spinach and cook until just wilted.
- Season: Season the soup with salt, pepper, and a pinch of chili flakes for a little kick.
- Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls, and enjoy the comforting warmth.
This veggie soup is simple yet full of depth, with each ingredient bringing its unique flavor and texture. The fennel adds a subtle licorice hint, the lentils provide heartiness, and the spinach offers a fresh touch. It’s a versatile recipe; you can add or substitute veggies based on what you have on hand. Perfect for those days when you need a little comfort, this soup is a reminder that the simplest dishes are often the most heartwarming.
