Making Lentil Soup With Turkey Meatballs

Free2B
Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 216 Posts

January 17, 2011

Lentil Soup With Turkey Meatballs in bowl This is my own recipe. It is healthy and delicious.

Ingredients:

Meatballs:

1 lb. ground turkey
1 - 2 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. cumin
1 cup bread crumbs
1 lightly beaten egg
salt and pepper, to taste

Soup:

1 (1 lb.) bag brown lentils, washed and picked over
3 stalks celery, sliced
2 medium onions, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup sweet red pepper, chopped
3 - 4 carrots, sliced
1 yellow zucchini, sliced
1 (12 oz.) can tomatoes, with juice, chopped
2 cans water or broth
1 medium bunch greens, washed and rough chopped
2 bay leaves
2 tsp. ground coriander
1 tsp. thyme
2 tsp. cumin

Directions:

Meatballs: Mix all ingredients well. Form into small meatballs or add to pot to be browned by the tablespoonful.

Soup: Using your preferred oil (I like olive oil for this) saute the celery, peppers, and onion for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and meatballs. I just get a little spoon of the meat mixture and drop it in the pot. Brown the meat, then add the tomatoes, water/broth (I like chicken broth) lentils, and herbs. Cook with the lid on for 40 minutes. Now add the carrots and cook 10 minutes, then the greens (I use kale or mustard greens) and the zucchini, and adjust the seasonings. Simmer until the vegetables are done.

I tend to add whatever fresh vegetables I have on hand, and I usually increase the seasonings. I really love this with cornbread. It's hearty, delicious, and pretty economical since it makes a big potful.