My Lentil Soup Hack

Sometimes I just don't have the energy, desire, or time to wash, trim, and chop up vegetables for a homemade soup. Yet, I still want a nourishing bowl of soup that is homemade. This is a quick and easy hack to substitute for chopping veggies. Of course, I used my Instant Pot- as I always do- but you can use the stovetop too.

I found a trick that works for me when I'm tired and stressed. I keep jars of chunky organic salsa in my pantry just for this occasion. After all, salsa is made from tomatoes, sweet peppers, garlic, and onions- the very ingredients I like to add to some of my lentil soup recipes.

 I open a jar of salsa and just dump it in my Instant Pot. Next, I washed a bag of small brown lentils, add vegetable broth and water, and pressure cooked for 16 minutes in my Instant Pot.

The results are amazing and I didn't have to chop any vegetables!! And It made a good size pot of rich-tasting lentil soup- enough to fill 3 glass storage containers. Of course, leftover lentil soup will thicken, so you can always mix in the additional vegetable broth before serving the next day.

We ate the soup I made for 2 meals, and I then froze the rest. I figure it will last in an airtight container at least 2-3 months in the freezer.

I buy thick and chunky organic salsa from Aldi's. which is also marked gluten-free, It's a 16-ounce glass jar that comes in mild, medium, or hot, and is only $1.99 (as of 2020)- works for me.

This makes a big batch of soup. It also freezes well or keeps for 4 days in the refrigerator

Ingredients: 
1 16 ounce jar of thick and chunky organic salsa ( mild, medium or hot- your choice)
5 cups vegetable broth
4 cups of water
1 bag of brown lentils (washed, picked over, and drained)

Optional but tasty: fresh garlic, cumin, salt, cracked pepper, 

Too much soup? Want less soup? 

Cut everything in half!!!

Directions: 
Add the salsa to the bottom of an 8qt Instant Pot. Sautee for 2 minutes. Add the lentils, vegetable broth, and water. Secure lid, close pressure valve, and pressure cook for 16 minutes. When done, allow steam to release on its own, or if you don't have time, release steam manually according to the manufacturer's directions. 

STOP!! 

Before I end, let me say that if you are feeling a bit more energetic, go ahead and chop 2 carrots, a potato, and a little zucchini... and add it to the recipe. Add an extra cup of broth or water and now you have a vegetable lentil soup. 

Got Red Lentils?

I also do the same recipe with red lentils. But I use 2 cups of red lentils or a mixture of both.

My Notes:

1. Tomatoes are very acidic. When you buy them in a can, the acidity from the tomatoes eats into the can and mingles with the metal. It sometimes gives a metallic taste and probably isn't good for you because you might get some of the metal in your food. I like salsa from a jar. 

2. Aldi's sells a very reasonable and delicious organic gluten-free salsa that comes in mild, medium, or hot for just $1.99 (as of 2020)  - a good deal

3. If you do have the energy to cut up vegetables, you can still add some to the IP. I actually once had an eggplant that I cut up and threw into the pot. It didn't affect the cooking time. 

4. You can probably do this on the stovetop as well. Why not? 

Don't like lentil soup? 

I did the same thing with my spicy sweet potato soup and that was really great too.