Savory Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Quinoa

This Savory Vegetable and Lentil Soup with Quinoa is a hearty and wholesome dish, perfect for a comforting midnight meal. Packed with nutrients and flavor, it combines lentils, quinoa, and a variety of vegetables for a satisfying bowl of goodness.

Ingredients

• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Onion - 1 medium, diced
• Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
• Carrot - 1 medium, diced
• Celery - 1 stalk, diced
• Bell pepper - 1 medium, diced
• Zucchini - 1 medium, diced
• Tomato - 1 medium, diced
• Vegetable broth - 4 cups
• Red lentils - 1/2 cup, rinsed
• Quinoa - 1/2 cup, rinsed
• Bay leaf - 1
• Thyme - 1 teaspoon, dried
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Spinach - 2 cups, fresh, chopped
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon

Steps

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the minced garlic, diced carrot, celery, and bell pepper, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Add the diced zucchini and tomato, and cook for another 3 minutes.
5. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil.
6. Add the rinsed lentils, quinoa, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
7. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes until the lentils and quinoa are tender.
8. Stir in the chopped spinach and lemon juice, cooking for an additional 2 minutes until the spinach is wilted.
9. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 15 g
• Carbs: 55 g
• Fiber: 15 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Water: 0.8 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in plant-based protein from lentils and quinoa.
• High in fiber, promoting digestive health.

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