Madhouse recipe : Bacon and Lentil Soup

Looking through the cupboard, I came across a bag of lentils and decided to use them in soup. The result was a winter warmer packed with flavour. It makes up in taste what it lacks in visual appeal !

 Bacon and Lentil Soup

ingredients :

1/2 bag dried lentils, soaked for several hours

300g bacon pieces

2 onions, chopped

1 large leek, chopped

1 Knorr ham stock cube (you could use chicken or beef but the ham ones give it a lovely bacon hit)

1 Knorr herbs stock pot

3tbsp chipotle sauce

herbs and spices of your choice : I added smoked paprika, garlic granules, thyme

Put the bacon in a large pot and fry for a couple of minutes until it starts releasing fat. Add the leeks and onions and cook, stirring every now and then, for 5 minutes.

Stir in the stock pot and the stock cube. Drain the lentils and add to the pot, along with a kettle full of boiling water.

 Bring back to the boil and leave to simmer for an hour, stirring from time to time and topping up with water as necessary.

Use a stick blender to reduce to a thick puree and top up with water to the required consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning, add salt and spices to taste.

Other blogposts you may be interested in :

Globecooking recipe : Goulash and Spätzle (Austria)

Madhouse recipe : Cheesy Baked Rice

Madhouse recipe : Flaky Festive Puffs