Lentil soup

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 11 Dec 2004, 21:41

I'm ashamed to admit this but I have never made lentil soup, although it is undoubtedly one of my most favourite foods. My soups are always made with home-made chicken stock.

I know that the secret is a good ham stock and I have bought some ham ribs from Findlays for this purpose. I've trawled the internet looking for a definitive recipe but most are fancy variations or vegetarian. I want the real thing - rib-sticking, heart-warming Scottish lentil soup.

Any pointers?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 11 Dec 2004, 22:37

I have bought some ham ribs from Findlays

Smoked or unsmoked?

Jamesie · Post by **Jamesie** » 11 Dec 2004, 23:46

Lentils (!)
1lb ham ribs
1lb carrots
Small piece of turnip

Liquidise!

DG · Post by DG » 12 Dec 2004, 00:00

As I don't eat meat I make the veggie option.

For a really big pot (lots of freezing for future use)-

Bag of lentils
carrots
onions (better than leeks for lentil soup)
Turnip
Celery (necessary ingridient to bring the taste of the lentils out - doesn't taste like lentil soup without it - even if you're not keen on celery - it gets lost in the overall taste!)
Veggie stock
Salt
WHITE pepper (again, lentil soup is better with white pepper rather than just black)
Freshly ground black peper if you like it spicey

I'm know for making a mean pot of soup

and lentil is one of my favourites!

Oh, also better cooked slowly over a long period of time, then left to cool before heating up - seems to be nicer.

Did you get all that?!

DG

teddygirl · Post by **teddygirl** » 12 Dec 2004, 01:56

I like a ham hough in mine but boil it for a short while first and pour off the water as it can be too salty,unless you are making a huge pot then it's okay.

Lizzie · Post by **Lizzie** » 12 Dec 2004, 11:41

Yes Bob lentil is my fav soup too!

I make mine with a smoked bacon joint, a wee bit expensive but worth it Then in go the lentils, carrots, turnip, onions and potatoes - delicious and there is plenty meat to put back in the soup (after liquidising) and also for sandwiches etc. I also add a couple of ham stock cubes as well. It always tastes much better the second day

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 12 Dec 2004, 11:46

Bob Jefferson wrote:I'm ashamed to admit this but I have never made lentil soup, although it is undoubtedly one of my most favourite foods. My soups are always made with home-made chicken stock.

I know that the secret is a good ham stock and I have bought some ham ribs from Findlays for this purpose. I've trawled the internet looking for a definitive recipe but most are fancy variations or vegetarian. I want the real thing - rib-sticking, heart-warming Scottish lentil soup.

Any pointers?

Phone my mum.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 12 Dec 2004, 11:50

Hi Lizzie, think I spotted you in Scotmid yesterday afternoon when I went out to buy my lentils. I was extremely hung over and not really capable of small talk. Thanks for all the soup tips so far. Will let you know how I get on. It's clear already that everyone has their own variation. I've seen other recipes that include garlic and sometimes lemon.

Perhaps we should have a cook-off and we could get Gail Porter to be the judge?

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 12 Dec 2004, 11:52

Porty wrote:Phone my mum.

You mean she isn't a POL member?

Lizzie · Post by **Lizzie** » 12 Dec 2004, 11:57

Yes Bob I was in Scotmid about 4.30pm yesterday, sorry I didn't see you - I know exactly how you were feeling though I too was extremely hung over

will we never learn

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 12 Dec 2004, 20:46

Lizzie wrote: will we never learn

The answer to that seems to be a definitive NO!

My lentil soup is popular with the select people I make it for, bth veggie and non-veggie. But I used whatever veg I feel like throwing in. i find it's the perfect way to get the bairns to eat broccoli. And spinach. And...er...lentils.

Lizzie · Post by **Lizzie** » 14 Dec 2004, 23:17

Well Bob, have you made your lentil soup yet

If so, how was it

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 15 Dec 2004, 19:56

Lizzie, it was superb. A triumph! I borrowed ideas from everyone but in the end went for something very traditional. I'm sure DG's veggie version is every bit as good as she claims but the smoked ham ribs gave it great flavour.

The following day I made chicken stock. At Ã‚Â£7 - Ã‚Â£8 for a Findlays' free-range chicken I like to get my money's worth! I couldn't be bothered making real soup again so on a whim I opened a can of spicy refried beans and stirred it into my strained stock. A spoon full of creme fraiche to finish it off et voila!

I often think that my best meals end up being things I've thrown together when I haven't planned a recipe. Problem is that I can generally never remember how I made them.

Lizzie · Post by **Lizzie** » 15 Dec 2004, 20:17

Bob Jefferson wrote:Lizzie, it was superb. A triumph! I borrowed ideas from everyone but in the end went for something very traditional. I'm sure DG's veggie version is every bit as good as she claims but the smoked ham ribs gave it great flavour.

The following day I made chicken stock. At Ã‚Â£7 - Ã‚Â£8 for a Findlays' free-range chicken I like to get my money's worth! I couldn't be bothered making real soup again so on a whim I opened a can of spicy refried beans and stirred it into my strained stock. A spoon full of creme fraiche to finish it off et voila!

I often think that my best meals end up being things I've thrown together when I haven't planned a recipe. Problem is that I can generally never remember how I made them.

You mean you finished all the lentil soup in one day

- it must have been good

Mind you I usually make a big pot - enough to last about 3/4 days - perhaps you didn't, either that or you have a lot of hungry mouths to feed

I agree the best meals do seem to be the ones that are thrown together don't they

You should try and remember them if you can and write it down - make your own recipe book

ecm · Post by **ecm** » 15 Dec 2004, 20:33

Crikey, Bob. A pot of lentil soup one day and a meal of refried beans the next.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 15 Dec 2004, 23:32

Bob Jefferson wrote: I borrowed ideas from everyone but in the end went for something very traditional.

He's back

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