Vegetable and lentil soup

Serves: 4

Time to make: 40 mins

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 carrots, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 cup dried brown lentils
1 parsnip, diced
3 cups reduced salt vegetable stock
1 cup water
bay leaf, thyme sprigs, rosemary sprigs, to taste
1 cup slicedgreen beans
fresh herbs such as parsley or basil, to garnish
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season
4 x 45g wholemeal pita bread

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Instructions

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1 Heat oil in a heavy-based saucepan and add onion, garlic, carrots and celery. Gently cook until onions are softened and slightly brown.

2 Add lentils, parsnip, stock, bay leaf, thyme and rosemary. Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer gently for about 25 minutes until lentils are tender. Add more liquid (water or stock) if needed.

3 At the last minute, add beans and cook until just tender. Remove bay leaf and woody sprigs and season to taste. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve with pita bread.

Variations

Add leftover lean meat for a meaty version.
Make it gluten free: Check stock is gluten free and use gluten-free pita brea.

Nutrition Info (per serve)

Calories 356 cal

Kilojoules 1490 kJ

Protein 18 g

Total fat 5 g

Saturated fat 1 g

Carbohydrates 55 g

Sugar 8 g

Dietary fibre 14 g

Sodium 670 mg

Calcium 90 mg

Iron 5.5 mg

Note: This nutrition analysis is a guide only. Nutrition composition will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. See our guides on your optimal daily nutrition intake, and supermarket shopping.