10 Guilt-Free Recipes from The Skinny

Lentil Soup

Loaded with vegetables and served with lime wedges, this lentil soup is lighter, more colorful, and all-around perkier than most. But it's still perfect for a cold winter Sunday meal.

Prep Time: 20 minutes, plus 30 minutes to 1 hour cooking
Makes: 4 servings

1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, halved and thinly sliced crosswise
1 to 2 tablespoons curry powder, to taste
2 medium carrots, diced small (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 red bell pepper, diced small (about 2/3 cup)
1 medium zucchini, diced medium (about 1 1/4 cups)
1 cup lentils, rinsed under cold running water and drained
1 quart chicken stock or broth
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
Coarse sea salt or kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Lime wedges, for serving

1. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and curry powder and cook, stirring, until the onion begins to brown, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the carrots, bell pepper, and zucchini and continue to cook and stir until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes more. If at any time the curry or onion starts to look too brown (that is, dark brown in places), reduce the heat.

2. Add the lentils and chicken stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the soup has thickened, 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the age of the lentils. Older lentils take longer to cook.

3. Stir in the cilantro and add salt and black pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve with lime wedges.

Nutrition Facts per serving: 276 calories, 19g protein, 40g carbohydrate, 6g fat (1g saturated), 10g fiber