Roasted Pepper and Lentil Soup

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
• 1 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup green lentils, picked over and rinsed
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• Fresh parsley, for topping (optional)

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

45 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the bell peppers and cook until tender, about 5 minutes more.
4. Stir in the tomatoes, lentils, broth, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
6. Puree the soup with an immersion blender or in a regular blender until smooth.
7. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 170
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 420mg
• Carbohydrates: 29g
• Fiber: 10g
• Sugar: 10g
• Protein: 10g

Dish Characteristics:

• Creamy and flavorful
• Rich in protein and fiber
• Ideal for a cold day
• Suitable for vegetarians and vegans (with vegetable broth)

User Comments:

• "This soup is so delicious and comforting! I love the roasted pepper flavor."
• "I'm not a big fan of lentils, but I really enjoyed this soup. The flavors are well-balanced."
• "This is a great recipe for using up leftover roasted peppers."
• "I made this soup in a slow cooker and it turned out perfectly."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have an immersion blender, you can let the soup cool slightly and then puree it in a regular blender.
• To make this soup vegan, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• To add a bit of spice, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.