
A comforting and nutritious red lentil soup packed with sweet carrots and tender leeks. This easy one-pot meal is perfect for a healthy lunch or a cozy dinner served with warm, crusty bread.
Pour the vegetable or ham stock into a large pot and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
Add the red lentils to the boiling stock and cook for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
Stir in the finely chopped carrots and sliced leeks. Season with black pepper, but avoid adding salt at this stage if you are using ham stock, as it is already quite salty. Bring the mixture back to a boil.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour. The soup is ready when the lentils have completely broken down and the vegetables are tender.
Scatter fresh parsley over the top and serve hot, accompanied by buttered bread if desired.
For a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender to partially purée the soup. If the soup becomes too thick during simmering, simply stir in a little extra water or stock to reach your desired texture.





