Lentil & Ham Soup

Lentil & Ham Soup

 

I recently received a request from a friend who was looking for a recipe for a soup that is high in protein. After I took my accounting final today (which I think I got an A on!), I scoured my cabinets for ingredients I could use to whip something up. I came across some lentils and chicken broth in my pantry, and as luck would have it, I had pulled some Easter ham from the freezer a few days ago to thaw in the refrigerator. Added a few veggies I had in the fridge, and voila - a super simple soup, packed with protein and fiber*! This recipe serves 4 and takes about 45 minutes to make.

*Americans typically don't get the recommended 25g (minimum) of fiber per day, and lentils are a great way to incorporate more fiber into your diet. In fact, 1/4 cup dry lentils contain about 9g fiber and 8g protein. Nutrition is delicious!

 

Ingredients

1 cup dry lentils

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1/4 lb. cooked ham, cubed

1 small onion, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 cup chopped carrots

1 clove garlic, minced

32 oz. container reduced sodium chicken broth

Fresh ground black pepper

 

 

 

1. Pour lentils into a sieve and pick out any dark/discolored or shriveled lentils. Rinse and drain.

 

2. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add ham, vegetables, and garlic. Saute for 5 minutes, until fragrant.

 

 

 

3. Add lentils, broth, and black pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cover and cook for about 30 minutes, until lentils are tender and soup is slightly thickened.

 

 

 

4. Serve hot & enjoy!

 

Nutritional Information (Per serving):

Calories 270, Fat 5g, Sat. Fat 0.5g, Trans Fat 0g, Cholesterol 20mg, Sodium 870mg, Total Carbohydrate 34g, Fiber 12g, Sugars 6g, Protein 22g, Vitamin A 100% DV, Vitamin C 8% DV, Calcium 4% DV, Iron 30% DV