Warm Lentil Soup With Pancetta

Serves: 6

Darlene Legros

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

53

Spice

51

Sweetness

50

Sourness

44

mins

Prep time (avg)

5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2 small

Bay Leaves

2 tbsps

Whipping Cream

Directions:

1

Sauté pancetta in heavy large pot over medium-high heat until crisp and brown

2

Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain (do not clean pot)

3

Spoon 1 tablespoon drippings into medium skillet and reserve

4

Add celery, onion, carrot, bacon, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme to remaining drippings in pot and sauté until vegetables are soft, about 8 minutes

5

Add lentils and stir 1 minute

6

Add 10 cups broth; bring to simmer

7

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until lentils are soft, about 1 hour

8

Discard bay leaves and garlic

9

Using slotted spoon, transfer 2 cups lentils to small bowl; cover and reserve

10

Working in batches, puree remaining soup until almost smooth

11

Return to pot

12

Add cream and vinegar

13

Thin with more broth to desired consistency

14

Season with salt and pepper

15

Reheat pancetta drippings in reserved skillet over medium-high heat

16

Add green onions; sauté until wilted, about 1 minute

17

Divide soup among bowls

18

Spoon lentils in center of each bowl, dividing equally

19

Garnish with pancetta and green onions and serve

20

Sauté pancetta in heavy large pot over medium-high heat until crisp and brown

21

Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain (do not clean pot)

22

Spoon 1 tablespoon drippings into medium skillet and reserve

23

Add celery, onion, carrot, bacon, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme to remaining drippings in pot and sauté until vegetables are soft, about 8 minutes

24

Add lentils and stir 1 minute

25

Add 10 cups broth; bring to simmer

26

Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until lentils are soft, about 1 hour

27

Discard bay leaves and garlic

28

Using slotted spoon, transfer 2 cups lentils to small bowl; cover and reserve

29

Working in batches, puree remaining soup until almost smooth

30

Return to pot

31

Add cream and vinegar

32

Thin with more broth to desired consistency

33

Season with salt and pepper

34

Reheat pancetta drippings in reserved skillet over medium-high heat

35

Add green onions; sauté until wilted, about 1 minute

36

Divide soup among bowls

37

Spoon lentils in center of each bowl, dividing equally

38

Garnish with pancetta and green onions and serve

39

*Pancetta, Italian bacon cured in salt, is available at Italian markets, some specialty foods stores, and some supermarkets

40

*Pancetta, Italian bacon cured in salt, is available at Italian markets, some specialty foods stores, and some supermarkets