Scottish Red Lentil Soup


     Welcome to this months Soup Saturday Swappers! This month we are sharing soups that celebrate our Ancestry. Like most Americans mine is a plethora of cultures, but Scottish is the bulk of that. This simple soup has few ingredients really highlighting the ingredients used.  The flavors of homemade stock with the tender barley vibrant turnips are the ultimate comfort food, I love the way barley cooks in to broth slightly thickening it. 

    We had roasted chicken earlier in the week and I cooked them down and picked the remaining meat off the frame. The soup uses lentils as a source of protein but the leftover chicken went in too. Ham is also a great addition. Use whatever you have on hand. I saw a lot of recipes that called for celery or leeks, or fresh herbs. I didn't have them on hand so they didn't end up my dinner but they would go perfectly. Again, use whatever you do or don't have on hand. 

Check out these other delicious soups that Celebrate Ancestry. 

Scottish Red Lentil Soup Recipe
8 c. stock (chicken, beef, vegetable, whatever you have on hand)
1 Tbsp. schmaltz or oil
2 large carrots, chopped
2 medium turnips, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1/4 c. barley
1/2 c. red lentils
1/4 tsp. black pepper
Salt to taste
*Optional additions as desired*
Celery
Leeks
Leftover chicken or ham
Canned ham
Green onions
Parsley

Saute the onion in oil until tender. Add whichever broth you prefer along with the barley. Bring to a boil. Simmer for 60 minutes or until the barley is tender. I did this part in my Instant Pot, high pressure for 20 minutes. Release the heat and set the pot to sauté to finish cooking. 

Add the remaining ingredients to the pot and simmer for 25 minutes or until the lentils and vegetables are tender. 

That's it! Enjoy!

As you can see from the picture I had some turnips leftover after making the soup. They were a great addition to my picture but what to do with them after that? If you want to stick with the Scottish theme I suggest Clapshot or Neeps an tatties. Icelandic Kjotsupa is also a delicious way to try them. But if you want something completely different, and completely delicious, I made more Middle Eastern Pickled Turnips with mine this time. 

Comments

  1. This soup sounds delicious and I always like finding recipes that start with leftovers.

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  2. This sounds so nutritious and satisfying and a great way to clean out your fridge! A big bowl of comfort.

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  3. The perfect "kitchen sink" type soup recipe - it sounds wonderful and a great catch all!

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  4. I have some turnips to use. Thanks for the ideas. And thanks, too, for this great Scottish recipe. I can't wait to try it.

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  5. This is a nutritious and satisfying soup. Lentil soups are my favorite kind and your soup is perfect!

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