Instant Pot® Lentil Soup

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Description

I fell in love with lentil soup in the Middle East. This lentil soup is a richly textured, warming soup with complex depths of flavor. This recipe is simple but delightfully intense, and will bring you back to starry desert nights. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese, a dollop of yogurt, and a bit of fresh parsley on top.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ onion, finely diced
  • 1 carrot, peeled and diced
  • 1 stalk celery, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon fennel seeds
  • ⅛ teaspoon chile powder
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 ¼ cups green lentils
  • 1 small yellow squash, diced (Optional)
  • 1 cube vegetable bouillon
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 1 cup chopped kale, or to taste

Instructions

  1. Turn on a multi-functional pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot®) and select Saute function. Warm olive oil for 3 minutes. Add onion
  2. carrot
  3. celery
  4. and garlic. Cook until onion is soft and translucent
  5. 4 to 5 minutes. Season with cumin
  6. coriander
  7. turmeric
  8. salt
  9. white pepper
  10. fennel
  11. and chile powder. Cook for 2 more minutes. Stir in tomato paste.
  12. Pour in broth and water. Stir in lentils and squash. Crumble bouillon cube over the top and mix well
  13. scraping the bottom of the pan to remove any browned bits. Cancel Saute Mode.
  14. Close and lock the lid. Select high pressure according to manufacturer’s instructions; set timer for 8 minutes. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for pressure to build.
  15. Release pressure using the natural-release method according to manufacturer’s instructions for 10 minutes. Open valve to vent remaining steam
  16. about 5 minutes. Unlock and remove the lid.
  17. Mix in lemon juice and toss kale leaves just on top of the soup. Replace lid and allow kale to steam for about 5 minutes. Remove lid and adjust seasonings
  18. if desired
  19. before serving.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins

Servings: 6

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