This is zippy Lemony Lentil Soup is hearty as well as refreshing. I enjoyed it at Fresh Tracks Café at Whitewater Ski Resort that I bought the recipe book & now make it at home & take skiing with me!
From the cookbook Whitewater Cooks: Pure, Simple and Real
Makes 8 servings
Lemony Lentil Soup Ingredients
2 tsp salt
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 large onion, diced
1 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp red chili flakes
1 Tbsp oregano
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped (optional)
2 cups dried red lentils (or you can use green lentils too)
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 carrots, diced
8 cups vegetable or chicken stock
juice of 2 lemons
2 tsp lemon zest
1 cup feta cheese crumbled
How to Make Lemony Lentil Soup
Rinse the dried lentils and set aside to drain.
Heat the olive oil in a large pot, add onions and sauté until translucent. Add carrots, garlic, salt, pepper, chili flakes, rosemary, oregano and bay leaves. Stir well and sauté until the carrots are tender. Add the stock and the lentils and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and summer for about 25 minutes or until the lentils are soft.
Remove the bay leaves. You may puree the soup at this point or just leave it as is.
Add the lemon juice, zest and more salt and pepper to taste.
To serve, ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle with feta and dill on top. Enjoy your Lemony Lentil Soup!
Wine Pairing
This lemony lentil soup pairs well with any rosé wine.
Let’s break down the components of both the soup and the rosé to understand why they can work well together:
Lemony Lentil Soup:
Flavor Profile: Lemon lentil soup typically offers a vibrant combination of earthy lentils, tangy lemon, aromatic herbs, and sometimes a hint of spiciness.
Texture: The soup can have a smooth, creamy consistency or a heartier, chunky texture, depending on the recipe.
Acidity: The lemon adds a pleasant level of acidity to the soup, providing a refreshing and zesty touch.
Rosé Wine:
Flavor Profile: Rosé wines are known for their delicate fruitiness with notes of strawberries, raspberries, citrus, and sometimes watermelon or floral hints.
Acidity: Good rosé wines possess a bright acidity that contributes to their crisp and refreshing character.
Body: Rosé wines usually have a light to medium body, making them versatile and easy to pair with various dishes.
Why they pair well together:
Acidity Synergy: Both the Lemony Lentil Soup and rosé wine boast noticeable acidity, creating a harmonious balance. The lemon in the soup complements the natural acidity in the wine, making each taste more vibrant and refreshing.
Contrast and Refreshment: The light, fruity flavors of the rosé contrast with the earthy lentils and herbaceous notes in the soup, providing a refreshing and palate-cleansing effect between sips and spoonfuls.
Seasonal Harmony: Lemon lentil soup is often associated with lighter meals, making it a perfect match for rosé wines, which are also considered ideal for warm-weather sipping.
Tips for Serving:
- Serve the rosé chilled, as the cool temperature accentuates its refreshing qualities, especially on a warm day.
- Ensure the Lemony Lentil Soup’s tang is not overpowering; it should complement rather than dominate the dish.
- There are various styles of rosé, from dry to slightly sweet. For this pairing, a dry or off-dry rosé with good acidity is generally the best choice, as it will harmonize nicely with the soup’s flavors.
As with all wine pairings, personal preferences play a role, so don’t hesitate to explore different rosé options to find one that perfectly complements your lemon lentil soup and suits your taste buds.
Find your new favourite Canadian rosé at our online shop here. Cheers!