Here is yet another leftover meal: a smoky lentil and chorizo soup. perfect for cold and rainy autumn days… I will keep repeating it over and over again: the best soups are the ones you didn’t plan to make!
A thick lentil and chorizo soup…
Like I said: the best soups are the soups you didn’t plan to make.
Or in other words: time to throw together some leftovers and see what comes out of it!
Cooking with Leftovers
I had this chunk of dried chorizo sausage staring at me for days.
And I was not sure what to do with it.
I kept saying to myself: I will slice it up tomorrow for lunch.
But that would never happen.
So today I just diced it up into small pieces and threw it in a frying pan together with a little garlic and onion.
Best Lentil and Chorizo Soup
For a second there I thought I would make me some smoky chorizo scrambled eggs.
But then I immediately dismissed that idea because I was craving a bowlful of comfort food. Something I need a spoon for, gobble it down on cruise control.
It was raining outside that day and I felt more like curling up on my comfy couch under a thick warm blanket wrapped around a bowl of steaming hot food.
And that is what this lentil and chorizo soup was.
Chorizo Oil
Thick, comfy, satisfying and filling.
Mouthful after mouthful, I enjoyed it so much.
Adding that chorizo to it was a great idea. Not only flavor wise but frying the chorizo also releases a good amount of natural chorizo oil that forms a film on top of the lentils.
Absolutely to die for.
Here is a little tip: to make the lentils extra creamy, just mash this lentil and chorizo soup up a little using a fork right before you serve it.
Or give it a short blitz using a stick mixer.
Lentils, chicken stock. Smoky chorizo bits. A dash of sriracha right in the end as well.
Perfect.
Enjoy!
Best Lentil and Chorizo Soup Recipe
- 9 oz canned lentils (250 g), drained weight
- 2- inch dried chorizo sausage (5 cm)
- 1 small onion
- 2 large garlic cloves
- 3 cups chicken stock (720 ml)
- a handful fresh parsley chopped
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- olive oil
- pepper
- salt
Peel and chop up the onion and garlic. Pour some olive oil in a large casserole and place it over medium-high heat. Then add the chopped onion and garlic as soon as the oil is hot.
Stir and gently fry the onion and garlic for 5 minutes. Peel the chorizo sausage and cut it into bite-size bits. Add it to the onion in the casserole together with the fresh rosemary.
Stir well again and then let the chorizo sausage bake for 3 to 4 minutes until the oil is totally red. Now pour in the drained lentils. Season with a good dash of pepper.
Give it all a good stir. Then pour in the chicken stock.
Stir well again. Turn the heat high until boiling. Then turn the heat back to medium-low and put a lid on the pan. Simmer the lentil soup for 10 minutes. Right before serving stir in the freshly chopped parsley. Check the seasoning and add extra salt or pepper to taste if necessary. Scoop the soup into bowls and serve.
Can I substitute fresh chorizo sausage for dried chorizo sausage in this lentil and chorizo soup?
Yes, you can substitute fresh chorizo sausage for dried chorizo sausage in recipes.
However, you may need to adjust the cooking time and the amount of liquid or fat used in the recipe to compensate for the extra moisture in the fresh sausage.
And can I substitute canned lentils for dried lentils in recipes?
Yes, you can substitute canned lentils for dried lentils in recipes.
Keep in mind that canned lentils are usually precooked, so they will require less cooking time than dried lentils.
Also, it is best to rinse canned lentils before use to remove any excess salt or preservatives.
Do dried lentils have to be soaked before cooking?
No, dried lentils do not have to be soaked before cooking.
Soaking can help reduce cooking time and make the lentils more tender. If you choose to soak your lentils, make sure to rinse them thoroughly before cooking.
Is lentil and chorizo soup comfort food?
Yes, no doubt about it: this lentil and chorizo soup is a comfort food.
It is hearty, flavorful, filling and easy to make, making it a great option for a comforting meal.
Serve it with crusty bread or a side of crackers.
You can also include a side dish such as a green salad or roasted vegetables to round out the meal.
