Sopa de Lentejas (Lentil Soup)

You either love them or hate them... but if you love them, here is another recipe to add to your rotation!

Growing up in a Salvadoran household there was always a pot of beans around, but some days my mom would surprise us and instead of beans make sopa de lentejas (Lentil soup). My dad did not enjoy these days, I on the other side loved them! So naturally once I moved out, I'd make them frequently as a nutritious and fulfilling meal to have. After so many years of trying with different ingredients, I think I've settled on my favorite recipe to make a sopa de lentejas!

How to make Sopa de Lentejas? (How to make Lentil Soup)

Ingredients:

• Apple Cider bacon

• Mushroom

• 1/4 green bell pepper

• 1/4 red bell pepper

• 1/4 yellow bell pepper

• 1/4 orange bell pepper

• 1/4 white onion

• Handful of spinach

• 2 garlic cloves or 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tomato

• 1 tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tbsp chicken bouillon

• 1 cup of lentils

• 6-8 cups of water or chicken broth

• Cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Chop all the vegetables into small dice and mince the garlic

2. Chop the bacon in small-medium pieces.

3. In a pot at medium heat add the bacon and cook it to your preference. Once it's done you can either take it out and save it to add it at the end so it remains crispy or leave it in. I opt to leave it in.

4. Add all the chopped vegetables to the pot and sauté until the vegetables are translucent.

5. Add 6-8 cups of water and 1 cup of lentils. Add 6 cups if you want a thicker soup or 8 cups if you want a thinner consistency.

6. Cover the pot and let it stew for 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are tender.

7. Let it cool for 10 mins and serve with fresh cilantro, avocado and a bit of rice!