Lentil, Kale and Sweet Potato Soup
As I write this I’m enjoying a cozy evening in. I’m lounging on my couch, keeping toasty with the help of an oversized throw and thick, fuzzy socks. Jazz from my John Coltrane Pandora station pipes through the warmly-lit room. And my tummy? Well, it’s still experiencing the afterglow of a hearty soup that tasted as if it had been concocted by Autumn itself.
I owe this blog post to my amazing girlfriend M, who is one of the most fantastic cooks I know. She’s a natural. You know, one of those completely unassuming people who can pull a bunch of fresh ingredients out onto their kitchen counter, toss in a little of this, throw in a little of that, season with a pinch of these, and voilà! You have yourself a masterpiece.
This soup is her recipe and I just made it my own because that’s how her recipes work. When I ask her about ingredients and quantities, she gives me an outline and I am left to fill in the blanks. This is how I know she’s a good cook. She functions on instinct. I was forced to do the same and as you’ll soon see from the ingredient list below, so will you.
But with ingredients like these, you really can’t go wrong. The lentils give the soup a stew-like heartiness and texture. The sweet potato naturally sweetens the entire stock and provides great balance to the saltiness of the celery and leeks. The kale adds a brilliant splash of color and flavor. If you favor a certain ingredient, emphasize it with your measurements. If you like something you don’t see here, by all means, add it in. These quantities make a pot of soup large enough to serve 6-8 people.
- 1 leek, greens trimmed, sliced lengthwise then crosswise
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- two 32-oz cartons of vegetable stock
- 2 cups water
- 1-2 cups brown lentils (depending on how much you like lentils!)
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced into large cubes
- 1 stalk celery, sliced
- 1 bunch kale, coarsely chopped
- 1 serrano pepper, sliced (optional)
- sea salt
- freshly ground black pepper
In a large soup pot, heat your olive oil and sauté the leeks and garlic until they’re golden brown and glistening. Pour in the vegetable stock and water. Add in the lentils, sweet potato and celery and bring just to a boil, then reduce to simmer until the lentils and sweet potato are very tender.
Next, add in the kale and pepper and allow to simmer a bit longer. Season with sea salt and black pepper to taste. If you are serving this soup to some who like spicy and some who do not, simply withhold the pepper slices and just add one slice into each individual bowl of those who like things hot. : )
I served this soup with toasted garlic bread and my Roasted Root Jewels.
Enjoy this delicious taste of Autumn! Your belly will thank you.
Happy eating!
Another winner winner, lentil dinner!! No need for fall, delicious year round!
😀 Yay! So happy you enjoyed it!
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I’ve never eaten kale so far because it’s very hard to find it out, but I know a place where it’s sold. This will be my first recipe with kale, thank you for sharing!
Where did you get that dish? It’s amazing
Oh wonderful! I’m sure you will love it and I’m sure you’ll find endless ways to cook with the kale you purchase. The recipe comes from a good friend!
This is a perfect example why is autumn my favorite season of the year! I just can’t get enough of these rich and dense soups full of fresh ingredients! Thanks for this wonderful recipe, I just can’t wait to try it 🙂
Thanks Julie! I hope you enjoy it!
Yum! Now that it’s getting colder and my body is craving comfort food, this is perfect! I can’t wait to make it, especially since I looooove sweet potatoes.
You and me both! Their sweetness is intoxicating! : )
Looks delightful! Definitely a must try, especially as the weather cools down. Perfect!
Thank you! There’s nothing like soup in the Fall. : )
perfect! soup time is upon us. I will make this
Yes! I could soup every day. Truly.
This one I am gonna do! The weather here in PA just turned chilly and my toes are cold. I think this soup will warm me up head to toe 🙂 Thanks!
I miss that chilly PA weather! Enjoy!
Hi Lauren,
love this! yes, it’s all about cooking with fresh ingredients! this is autumn in a bowl, yum!!!
Agreed! Thanks Alice. : )
Oh wow Lauren! I have a very similar recipe called Chickpea, kale and sweet potato soup on my blog! 🙂 I love lentils too.. Maybe I’ll try it with lentils next time instead of chickpeas! 🙂
Oh my gosh, yes! I just checked it out. It is very similar! Simple, fresh ingredients make the best soups. : ) Brandi, I love your newly envisioned blog! The concept is fantastic and the recipes and pics are amazing. Congratulations and well done!
Thank you so much Lauren!!! I truly appreciate that 🙂