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Chestnut-And-Lentil Soup

Category: Soups

Author: The Savvybearcat

Date: 1/1/2007

Rating:

(3.0) by 1 users

Ingredients:

1 lb Chestnuts
Light oil
1 cup French green lentils =OR=- Brown Lentils
2 qt Water
1 medium Carrot diced into small, even squares
1 Celery stalk cut into small squares
1/2 small Onion, finely diced
1 large Garlic clove peeled and finely chopped
1 Bay leaf
1/2 tsp Salt, or to taste
5 Parsley sprigs

MMMMMFINISHING THE SOUP

3 tbsp Light olive oil Chestnuts (from above)
1 1/2 tsp Chopped fresh marjoram -OR-
1/2 tsp -Dried Marjoram
1/4 tsp Fennel seeds, crushed (or ground)
Fresh thyme sprigs, -=OR=-
1 pinch -(generous) dried Thyme
1/2 cup Dry white wine
1 tbsp Tomato paste Lentils (from above)
Water, stock or cream (as needed)
Salt
Freshly milled black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil
Finely chopped parsley
Small croutons, fried (in butter or oil) (optional)

Instructions:

PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F. Score chestnuts on their rounded sides and toss
them in just enough oil to lightly coat them. Place chestnuts on
baking sheet. Bake until skins have opened and meat is tender, about
20 minutes. When cool enough to handle, peel and dice them into small
pieces. Set aside. Rinse lentils and combine them in soup pot with
the water. Bring to boil. Cook a few minutes at gentle boil, removing
foam that forms on surface. Add carrot, celery, onion, garlic, bay
leaf, salt and parsley. Lower heat and simmer until lentils are
tender, about 35 minutes. When done, remove parsley sprigs and bay
leaf. Correct seasoning and add salt, if necessary. Puree half the
lentils until smooth, then recombine them with the rest. FINISHING
THE SOUP: In pan large enough to hold soup, warm olive oil, then add
roasted chestnuts and herbs. Cook over medium heat, stirring
frequently, for several minutes. Add wine and tomato paste. Stir to
dissolve tomato paste and cook a few minutes to reduce wine. Stir in
lentil mixture and simmer gently 20 minutes. If soup is too thick,
thin it with a little water, stock or cream until of right
consistency. Taste for salt and season with pepper. Serve with
spoonful of olive oil swirled into each bowl. Sprinkle with parsley
and croutons, if desired. ---