Spinach and Lentil Soup

May 16, 2010

If you follow me on twitter, you may have noticed that I’ve been raving about Apolinaras’ spinach and lentil soup. He has tweaked the recipe to perfection and it’s so good that I find myself filling up a bowl with it instead of ice cream for my late night snack. Don’t let its humble appearance and short ingredient list fool you – it’s completely addicting!

Since Apolinaras doesn’t follow recipes or measure ingredients, I tagged alongside him while he was making it this weekend so I could jot down exactly how he crafts his masterpiece. In the true spirit of my hubby, it’s super easy to put together. You literally just put everything in a pot and allow it to simmer! You can’t beat something that is this good for you and easy to make. I’m very happy that I can now make this myself on the days that he’s too busy to get into the kitchen!

Spinach and Lentil Soup
Printable Recipe

Ingredients:
4 cups chicken stock
1 cup lentils
1 pound fresh baby spinach
2 teaspoons lemon pepper spice blend
2 tablespoons olive oil
Juice of one lemon

Directions:
Place chicken stock, lentils, baby spinach, lemon pepper spice blend, and olive oil in a large stockpot and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 15 minutes or until lentils are tender. Mix in lemon juice. Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition: 156 calories, 7.9g fat, 6.5g fiber, 8.8g protein per serving
Cost: $1.53 per serving

Marie Johnson

This is exactly what I was waiting for….
Can’t wait to make this…
Thank you,

Marie
http://fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/ Pam

A hearty and healthy soup – it looks great.
http://mytastytreasures.blogspot.com donna

That looks just wonderful, I cant believe how simple it is to make!! I have ot to try it.
http://maplencornbread.blogspot.com/ Jennifer @ Maple n Cornbread

I love lentils and always looking for new recipes to try! This sounds great!
http://www.dinnersanddreams.net/ Nisrine@Dinners & Dreams

Healthy and so delicious. I’ll have to make this very soon.
http://cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com/ Reeni

I love the ease of this soup! Not to mention the flavors! Totally delicious.
http://megan-deliciousdishings.blogspot.com/ Megan

Wow! This looks like it would make such an easy delicious dinner. I love lentils.
http://funandfearlessinbeantown.blogspot.com Michelle

This looks SO easy to make. I made a big batch of tomato lentil and chicken sausage soup last weekend but I’d love to give this one a try!
http://www.tri2cook.blogspot.com/ Shannon

ooh, that sounds fabulous! definitely giving it a try
http://joanne-eatswellwithothers.blogspot.com Joanne

So you managed to find a guy who is sweet, cute, AND makes a damn good lentil soup! Definite keeper.
http://www.bridezillabakes.com Bethany

Yes — lemon pepper and spinach! What a great combination, and you’re right, SO healthy. What a wonderful meal, and so simple for a weeknight!
http://burpandslurp.com sophia

That sounds lovely, Kerstin! I love all the flavor combinations today…this will give me a fresh appreciation for spinach!
http://asoutherngrace.blogspot.com grace

late-night snack? hmm. although i don’t believe i’d be able to sleep after consuming copious lentils (IF you get my meaning…), i would love this at any other time of day. thanks to both of ya!
http://bilingualbutter.blogspot.com Lucie

Lentil soup is one of my favorite soups–never thought of adding spinach to the mix, great idea!
http://www.wearenotmartha.com Sues

Yum! I love thick, full soups like this one appears to be. And I’m a huge fan of super healthy soups that are also super delicious!
http://preventionrd.com Nicole, RD

I am on such a spinach kick with all the fresh spinach in farmer’s markets – this looks wonderful!!
http://carascravings.blogspot.com Cara

I imagine the lemon is what sets this soup apart. I can also think of a bunch of spices that could enhance this, but I bet it’s just perfect when left simple, like you said!
http://www.thesweetslife.com Natalie (The Sweets Life)

YUM! We’ve had such gloomy weather lately, this fits the bill perfectly. If the sun doesn’t start to shine soon, this is getting added to the menu plan
http://luckytastebuds.wordpress.com Michelle

Oh wow, YUMMO!!!! I have a giant bag of lentil that I need to use up! It would be perfect for lentil soup, especially since Chicago is still cold. Boo us. I hope frozen spinach works in this recipe too.
http://www.pink-apron.com Kelly

Wow. Sounds incredibly simple and fresh.
http://www.aduckinherpond.com Blond Duck

I love you. Ben adores spinach and lentils. I’m going to be treated like a queen.
http://simplerecipes.me Juliana

Lentil and spinach…very healthy and tasty
http://thehealthyjunky.wordpress.com/ Erica

Wow! This recipe looks great!
http://yumventures.wordpress.com Sophie @ yumventures

I loooove soups like this! Perfect for a rainy day. So nice your husband is a fantastic cook
http://delightfulbitefuls.blogspot.com/ Mary

Ooo I am so excited right now! I’ve been looking for a new soup recipe to try and I FINALLY found it! This has been bookmarked

xxMK
Delightful Bitefuls
http://meganscookin.blogspot.com megan

It sounds delicious and so healthy. But I would still want my bowl of ice cream.
http://www.sophiesfoodiefiles.blogspot.com Sophie

A lovely spinach & lentil soup, dear kerstin!!

Beautiful presented too!
http://yasmeen-healthnut.blogspot.com/ yasmeen

A healthy soup for snack,sure sounds guilt-free
http://bakeitafterall.blogspot.com Meghan

I’m so impressed with this recipe, especially since Apolinaras created it! I really want my hubby to start making dinners I love soups that can be made by throwing a few fresh ingredients together!
http://biz319.wordpress.com Biz

Wow, what a delicious looking soup! I’ve never had one like that before!
http://stephscafe.blogspot.com Live.Love.Eat

Oh wow, this looks so simple and healthy and delicious!!!! I just wish it wasn’t 95 here in FL!
http://delightfulbitefuls.blogspot.com/ Mary

I made this last night! It is awesome! Just had it for lunch and I’m sooo full Will definitely be making this again!

xxMK
Delightful Bitefuls
http://lisaiscooking.blogspot.com/ lisaiscooking

I love lentil soup, so I always check every recipe for it I see! The lemon pepper must be the secret ingredient here. Sounds delicious!
Lindsay

I’m interested in making this but I’m a noob when it comes to cooking. Is the chicken stock mentioned the yellow powdery stuff? If so, I would assume I need to add some water but you don’t mention any water in your recipe so I haven’t a clue how much I would put in LOL
http://cakebatterandbowl.com Kerstin – Cake, Batter, and Bowl

Hi Lindsay – You can buy chicken stock in the soup aisle that is ready to go or you can buy the yellow powdered bouillon. If you get the powdered stuff, there will be directions on the package about how much water to add for each cup of stock you’d like to make (I think it’s usually a teaspoon for each cup of water). Hope this helps!
amber

I just wanted to let you know that I’ve made this maybe six times now. It’s my new favorite thing to make, and it’s so easy. Thanks for a great recipe. I’m curious though – do your lentils get soft when you only cook them 15 minutes? I have to cook mine at least 25 minutes for them to have a nice texture. Then I add the spinach.
http://cakebatterandbowl.com Kerstin – Cake, Batter, and Bowl

Amber – Yay, I’m glad you’ve been enjoying and will let Apolinaras know So, I just did a little googling and it seems like the age of your lentils can affect cooking time and most recipes say 15 to 30 minutes. Ours must have been the quick cooking type!
Pingback: Cheesy Zucchini Pizza « GRAS Pizza