VEGETABLE SOUP WITH BEANS RECIPES

Steps:

• If your slow cooker has a browning feature, as mine does, put your oil, butter, or bacon grease in the pan and brown the stew meat until seared on all sides. Otherwise use a skillet and transfer the meat to the slow cooker and use some of the beef broth to deglaze your skillet and pour that into the cooker.
• Add all of the remaining ingredients. Stir well and set to Low for 8 hours, or High for 4 hours, depending on how hot and fast your cooker cooks.
• Depending on how thick or thin you like your soup you can add more stock when adding the carrots and potatoes. When those vegetables are done taste again because they will soak up a lot of the salt. Adjust seasoning as needed and serve over rice or elbow noodles if you like it thick like a stew or serve as is if you like it as a soup.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drain.
• In a large stockpot on medium heat, saute the onions, leeks, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are translucent and very tender. Add the celery and carrots and saute for 10 more minutes. Add the chicken stock, tomato paste, and lentils. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, until the lentils are cooked through. Check the seasonings. Add the red wine and serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grated Parmesan.