Recently the lovely folks at SlowFoodsUSA and Camellia teamed up with some of us Meatless Monday bloggers to create some recipes to promote plant-based foods and slow cooking. Unfortunately, my shipment got delayed and I didn’t receive my package until the weekend of my birthday. One week before the holidays. No problem I thought, I can do a post over the holidays. After all, instant pot lentil soup makes itself! What I didn’t bank on was the holiday house upheaval, and having no time to snap (decent) photo’s. Then Xmas day came and I got sick.
Christmas Day started great, I was feeling 100%, but by the evening I was in a lot of pain. So, the next morning I was on the phone to Kaiser, by 9.30am I was back home medication in hand. However, I felt like death. You know what came in real handy? The Lentil Soup I’d made a few days earlier in the instant pot! KARMA at work right there.
Instant Pot Lentil Soup
In exchange for some complimentary products we were tasked to create a recipe using Camellia products promoting homemade meals. I have to say as a lazy chef I rarely create the same thing twice. It’s actually a bit of a joke in our household. Whatever, recipe I try and follow I’ll switch out ingredients, change quantities and generally what I like to call “make it my own”. With that said here’s my usual starting point:
- 2 cup lentils
- 4 cups Vegetable broth
- 4 cups water 1/2 onion finely diced
- 3 large carrots chopped
- 2 sticks of celery chopped
- 1 large potato peeled and diced
- Seasonings of your choice (I choose a variety of: Mrs Dash, Liquid Aminos, liquid smoke, spike, garlic powder, black pepper)
Honestly, you can’t go wrong. Even if after you’ve cooked it if it doesn’t taste quite right then add seasonings until you create something you like. Really with soup the only rule is to have really great base ingredients. Family owned and operated Camellia delivers the best beans around. Offering 19 different varieties of beans, peas and lentils, all of their products are 100% USA produced, non-GMO, gluten free and cleaned six times. This means no soaking is necessary! If you’ve cooked with dry beans before you know what a pain in the rear that can be. Camellia products are good for the planet and your health.
Slow Foods for Not Fast Food
When we look at soup it’s easy to grab a can off the shelf but once you look at the myriad of unnecessary ingredients it really should make you stop and think. The folks at Slow Food USA believe in food that is good, clean and fair for all.
GOOD
- Believe that delicious nutrition is a right for everyday life
- Cultivate joyful connections to community and place
- Advocate for diversity in ecosystems and societies
CLEAN
- Protect natural resources for future generations
- Help people and the environment depend on each other
- Promote food that is local, seasonal, and sustainably grown
FAIR
- Build local cooperation and global collaboration while respecting all laws
- Require no prerequisite or credential for participation
- Fight for dignity of labor from field to fork
As someone trying to eat more home cooked ,whole food, and plant based foods I wholeheartedly support their cause. Yes, I eat out and use convenience foods BUT that shouldn’t be the norm. Remember when it was a treat to eat our or get convenience food? Then the next thing you know it’s a habit. Time to reclaim whole food plant based cooking.
Never Eat the same soup twice
As I’ve mentioned I’m a lazy cook (which is why I love my air fryer and instant pot), but this is great for variety. My soups rarely end up being the same each time because I can switch up seasonings, and instantly add new flavors. Or I can add toppings and extras to my soup before serving to add a different flair to each dish.
Questions:
- Do you make homemade soup?
- What’s your favorite Soup?
- Are you a fan of lentils/beans?
Katrina
I’m not a soup lover but I love how easy they are to make for my husband and son
Chloe @callmecoco.co
Such a healthy and filling meal! As you said, it’s hard to go wrong and it’s really nice to be able to vary seasoning and flavors 🙂
Rachael
For a long time I didn’t like soup. Recently however I have started making ny own and it tastes a million times better! I made pumpkin soup in November and that was lush.
Elizabeth O
I will try this soup. sounds so yummy and healthy
Jessica Lynn Martin
I love homemade soup but I don’t make it as often as I would like. Mainly because my kids are picky eaters so they don’t really like the soups I make. I love potato soup. This soup looks really delicious and I will need to try making it even if it is just for myself.
Monidipa Dutta
Now, this is the perfect make-ahead meal for weekday lunches/dinners. I only started eating lentils a couple years ago and they are delicious! And I got an Instant Pot for now, so this is perfect!
Vicky
I do love soup especially in the winter. I will try this one
sabrina babrbante
As a vegetarian I’m the biggest fan of soups and legumes, mainly beans, lentils, eye peas. I prepare them by myself at home at least twice a week and since I love preparing them step by step in many different ways I don’t use much instant pots. They look good though.
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
I love making homemade soup and lentil is such a great one! Such a hearty dish. I’ll have to try those dried beans. Hope you are feeling better.
fashionandstylepolice
I need to try this soup. It sounds yummy and healthy. Guest for this cold weather too.
Rebecca Smith
I really must get an Instant Pot, they sound like such a great device. This soup looks absolutely delicious.
Abbey Sharp
Love using lentils in my soup! I’m a huge fan of homemade soup because I can use whatever leftover veggies I have in my fridge.
Nicolette Lafonseca
I feel like I have been in a bubble I swear I had not heard of instant pots before in the last month I see them everywhere. Everyone has good things to say. I am a huge fan of beans and pulses so filling and great for winter.
Charlotte
Lentils are so healthy and nourishing. I love having lentils when it is cold outside! Looks delicious.