Simple Suppers: Red Lentil Soup

Sometimes our favorite recipes are those culled from pantry staples and feature hearty wintry vegetables. Like all good things, those go-to dishes in our arsenal always have an ingredient or two that make the dish zing, pow, sparkle, and mmmm. In the case of this delectably easy, supremely cheap, and utterly delicious soup, the humble lentil meets dashing caramelized onion ... and it's love at first bite! (We know, we know, that was bad ... We couldn't resist.)

red lentil soup

Red Lentil Soup with Lemon and Caramelized Onions Serves 2 (amazingly enough)

• 1 small onion, sliced thin

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 3/4 cup red lentils

• 1 cup chicken stock

• 1 cup water

• pinch cayenne

• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric

• salt

• pepper

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 1/2 tablespoon chopped parsley

To caramelize the onions, melt the butter over moderate heat. Throw in the onion and cook until beginning to brown. Sprinkle sugar evenly over onions and continue to cook until onions are brown, sweet, and sticky.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine lentils with water, stock, cayenne, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are soft and beginning to break down. Turn off heat, and stir in chopped parsley and lemon juice. Ladle into bowls and serve with caramelized onions.

Featured image from LollyKnit, recipe and image from Pink of Perfection.