David Rocco’s Tomato and Lentil Soup Recipe Hunts Style!
The tomato harvest season is very short in Canada; you’ve got to grab them while you can! But that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck for the rest of the year. Don’t feel guilty about using canned tomato products – the ones in the can are picked at the peak of freshness, so they are ripe and flavourful. That amazing flavour will come out in your tomato dishes year round.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp (56 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 bunch of fresh flat leaf parsley, chopped
- 2 fresh chili peppers, chopped
- 2 cans (14 oz/398 ml) tomatoes, such as Hunt’s Original Diced Tomatoes
- 1 can (19 oz/540 ml) lentils, drained and rinsed
- Salt, QB
- Pepper, QB
- 2 tbsp of tomato paste, such as Hunt’s Original Tomato Paste
- Water
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil.
- Add garlic, parsley and chili peppers and sauté for a few minutes until the garlic has started to turn golden.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes with the juice right from the tin.
- With the back of a wooden spoon, break up the tomatoes into little chunks. You can decide the consistency.
- Then add in the rinsed lentils, salt and pepper.
- Add tomato paste, and then add water about 1/2 an inch above the lentils.
- Bring to a boil, then lower to medium heat and cook for 20 minutes until the soup has thickened.
I have to admit, although I am a soup lover, I was unsure what I would think of this Tomato Lentil Soup. Since I love tomatoes and have grown up using canned tomatoes I decided to give this recipe a try. I gathered up the ingredients from the recipe provided by Hunts and was ready for the challenge.
There were not many ingredients, so the prep time was minimal. I wondered what the flavor would be like without adding any meat.
As the soup began to simmer, I could already tell that it must have flavor since the aroma began to fill the house.
I could hardly believe that I could have a homemade soup ready to eat in 20 minutes. My husband and I really enjoyed this steaming soup on the frigid cold day.
Hunt’s Tommalier Tip:
It’s a tradition to make tomato lentil soup with sausage on New Year’s Day as it is supposed to bring good luck for the year ahead. For a heartier version that does not betray the soup’s cucina povera roots, break up some sausage and let it slightly brown, just before you add in the tomatoes.
Trevor and I decided that we will make this soup again, we both want to try it with the sausage for a heartier option that would be great for dinner with fresh baked bannock!
From seed to plate, Hunt’s passion is unwavering to ensure only the best and freshest tomatoes can be called Hunt’s tomatoes.
Hunt’s tomatoes are picked at the peak of ripeness. Each year, Hunt’s farmers grow 55 different tomato varieties, so the Hunt’s tomato experts can choose the ideal varieties based on criteria such as sweetness, texture, and flavour profile. Waiting until tomatoes are at the peak of ripeness ensures superior quality and the true tomato flavours that make meals come alive.
Linda J Johnson
Monday 19th of September 2022
I can not wait to make this soup, I love Mexican food and miss the real tamales from San Antonio, TX.
Jackie
Monday 4th of February 2013
This looks great. My husband and I would eat this. Our kids can't have lentils, but the thought about sausage has given me an idea to change it up a bit to make it without the lentils and maybe use the sausage with something else to make it hearty. Your pictures are fabulous - making me hungry. (and ps. thanks for linking up with the healthy living link - that's how I found this and I'm glad I did!)
Jody @ Mommy Moment
Tuesday 5th of February 2013
I'm glad you found the recipe and I'm happy that you found the pictures to be fabulous. I hope your children enjoy your version of the soup, you'll have to let me know how it turns out!
Angie@Echoes of Laughter
Tuesday 29th of January 2013
Yours looks so good! There really is nothing better than soup when it's cold! Angie xo
Jody @ Mommy Moment
Tuesday 29th of January 2013
Thanks Angie. Soup is perfect on a cold day, and we've been having a lot of cold days!
jodi shaw
Tuesday 29th of January 2013
Ohhhh Jody this looks so so good. The pics are making me hungry! LOL :) We also love Hunt's and I use it for my spaghetti sauce.
Jody @ Mommy Moment
Tuesday 29th of January 2013
Thanks Jodi! Glad you like the pictures.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell
Tuesday 29th of January 2013
That looks so appetizing!