This vegan lentil and tomato soup is hearty, filling, easy and healthy (and cheap)! I usually make double and put some in the freezer so I'm stocked up for future lunches. The recipe owes a lot to my Mother's legendary soup, which she used to make for us on bleak, cold winter nights in Sydney. They do happen!! Or at least they feel cold in comparison to most other weather conditions there.
My Mum's recipe came from an early 80's edition of the Diet for a Small Planet Cookbook, and was called Lentils Monastery style. The book put into words what I was thinking, even as a teen in the early 90's... that there is another way to eat, that we didn't have to be cruel to eat deliciously & well, and that what we eat can positively or negatively affect everyone's future.
But that's not why I loved Mum's soup so much, I loved the bite and slight meatiness of the lentils, the fragrant herbs and the richness of the tomato & how all the flavours came together and perfectly balanced to create a delicious, warming soup. Simply served with a hunk of bread it's a whole meal in itself.
This soup isn't exactly the same as the original, but it owes much to it.
🧾Key Ingredients
Green or Puy Lentils: You could also use those little brown lentils. I love the pepperyness of the Puy lentils the best though!
Tomato Passata: Simple and easy to find in bottles or tetra packs. I've also used crushed tinned/canned tomatoes which work just as well.
Vegetable Boullion/Stock: A good stock makes a soup sing. If you don't have any that you have made yourself, use a good quality powdered one (we like the Marigold best).
Carrots & Onions: Both these add sweetness and depth of flavour. So yummy for chilly days!
❓FAQs
Here are some of the most common questions asked about this vegan lentil and tomato soup.
Yes absolutely! I frequently make a huge batch (triple) and freeze in one or two person portions. Perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. I love these glass tupperware for freezing my food (better for the environment and our health).
Yes you can. Just reduce the cooking time a bit.
This soup is so easy because all it requires is some chopping. No need for a blender.
No. Just leave it out if you don't want to use it. Or use some balsamic vinegar.
👩🍳Step by Step
Here's how to make this super simple vegan lentil and tomato soup.
- chop up and cook the onion and carrot.
- add the passata, lentils, wine, stock and herbs.
- simmer until the lentils are tender.
- serve up!
Ingredients laid out for the lentil soup Chop the onion Chop up the carrot Cook the onion and carrot Add the lentils, passata, stock, wine and herbs. Cook well. The soup is ready to serve!
🥣Sides & Similar Recipes
This vegan lentil and tomato soup recipe goes so well with delicious sides such as:
Similar Soups and Stews you might also like are:
- Soothing Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup
- Vegan Yellow Split Pea & 'Ham' Soup
- Easy Creamy Tomato Dal
So here it is.... My take on the Diet for a Small Planet's Lentil's Monastery style... as introduced to me by my Mother.
(Thanks Mum!)
📖 Recipe
Lentil and Tomato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 2 carrots (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
- 250 g dried puy or green lentils
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoon thyme (dried or fresh)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- 400 ml tomato passata (or one standard tin/can)
- 120 ml red wine
- 2 small mild chillis - deseeded (OPTIONAL)
- 1 teaspoon mild chilli powder (OPTIONAL)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable stock
- 800 ml water
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- fresh chopped parsley - to serve
Instructions
- Sweat the garlic & onions in the oil in a large, heavy saucepan.
- Add the chopped chilli, tomato paste & carrots & cook for 5 minutes or so, until soft.
- Add the tomato pasata, and all the herbs & chilli powder and stir.
- Add in the lentils, the stock powder, the water & the wine.
- Bring to the boil, then reduce to a slight simmer.
- Cook until the lentils are tender - around half an hour.
- Taste & adjust the seasoning if needed.
- Serve with a sprinkle of parsley & some crusty bread.
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