Brazilian Lentil Soup with Kale

Brazilian Lentil Soup with Kale

This hearty Lentil Soup with Kale is a Brazilian staple on New Year’s Day when eating lentils provides good luck for prosperity in the coming year. 

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped
• 5 c chicken stock or vegetable stock to make the dish vegetarian
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 c lentils, brown or green, dry, rinsed
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ - 2 cup chopped kale, veins removed
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

• In a 2 quart soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat, add onions and sauté until soft, 2-3 min. Reduce the heat to medium and add the carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft, 4-5 minutes.
• Add the chicken stock, diced tomato, lentils, and bay leaf. Stir to mix. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until the lentils are tender, 25-35 min. Stir the soup occasionally. If the soup becomes too thick, add a little more water.
• Add the chopped kale. Continue to simmer until the kale has wilted, 1-2 min. Taste the soup and adjust the salt and pepper as necessary.
• Remove the bay leaf and serve.