It’s so easy to make this soup from scratch, and this recipe will make you glad you did. The lentils thicken this vegetable-packed soup, and the milk adds a lovely flavor and texture. This soup is even better when made ahead, so make it on the weekend or in the evening, then reheat to pack in a thermos or reheat at lunch time.

Ingredients

- 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter

- 1 medium onion, chopped

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1/8 tsp (.5 mL) hot pepper

flakes or smoked paprika

- Salt and pepper

- 1/3 cup (75 mL) dried red

lentils, rinsed

- 2 ½ cups (625 mL) low-

sodium vegetable or chicken

broth

- 4 cups (1 L) chopped broccoli

(stems and florets separated)

- 4 cups (1 L) chopped packed

trimmed kale

- 2 cups (500 mL) heated milk

- 2 tbsp (30 mL) freshly squeezed lemon juice or white wine vinegar

Directions

1. In a pot, melt butter over medium heat.

2. Sauté onions, garlic, hot pepper flakes and ¼ tsp (1 mL) each salt and pepper for about 5 minutes or until softened and starting to turn golden brown. Stir in lentils, broth and broccoli stems. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.

3. Stir in broccoli florets, kale and milk. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally and adjusting heat to prevent boiling, for 15 to 20 minutes or until lentils and vegetables are soft.

4. Use and immersion blender in the pot or transfer soup to a blender or food processor, in batches, and purée, until smooth or slightly chunky, as desired.

5. Return to pot, if necessary. Heat over medium heat until steaming, but do not let boil. Stir in more milk if soup is too thick. Drizzle in lemon juice while stirring. Season with up to ¼ tsp (1 mL) salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional information (per serving)

Energy: 222 calories

Top 5 nutrients (% of daily value)

Protein: 15 g

Calcium: 22 % / 239 mg

Carbohydrates: 29 g

Vitamin C: 178 %

Total fat: 7 g

Folate: 57 %

Fibre: 5.2 g

Vitamin B12: 40 %

Sodium: 182 mg

Vitamin D: 31 %