As autumn sets in with cool air and falling leaves, journalist Sophie Law from Express is drawn to the comforting appeal of homemade food. A staple in her weekly cooking repertoire is a simple yet delicious four-ingredient lentil soup. Amidst rising food prices, the affordability of this dish keeps her coming back for more.
This budget-friendly soup costs approximately £3.48 for the ingredients from Aldi, translating to just 49p per serving, making it a wallet-friendly option. Packed with vegetables and red lentils for fiber and protein, it is not only economical but also nutritious. Sophie often prepares a large batch on Sundays to enjoy for lunch throughout the week, with each pot yielding six to seven servings.
The beauty of this soup lies in its versatility – while the base includes onion, carrot, and leek, Sophie often adds a variety of vegetables like celery, sweet potato, butternut squash, bell pepper, or potato to suit her taste.
To make the soup, Sophie starts by sautéing chopped onion, carrots, and leeks until softened, then adds red lentils and boiling water (or stock) before simmering until the lentils and carrots are tender. Seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional spices like cumin adds depth of flavor. The final touch involves blending the soup for a smooth texture, although leaving it slightly chunky is just as delicious.
Best enjoyed garnished with fresh parsley and served with buttered bread, this soup is ideal for batch cooking and can be frozen for up to three months.