Spinach-Lentil Soup with Saffron & Manchego by Food & Style

Published: July 12 2018

Boost your energy, iron, and protein levels with this healthy and hearty dish by Food & Style. This recipe marries together spinach, lentils, saffron, and manchego cheese for a combination of flavors that is out of this world!

Ingredients

Preparation

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 large shallots – skinned, quartered, finely sliced
1/2 cup dry white wine
4 large garlic cloves – finely chopped
1 tsp Rumi Saffron – gently pounded in a mortar
1 – 15 oz can peeled plum tomatoes – puréed in the food processor
1/2 cup green lentils
3 cups vegetable stock
2 cups water
sea salt
black pepper
6 oz baby spinach
1 tsp aged sherry vinegar
freshly grated manchego cheese

Heat a large heavy-bottomed soup pot at medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and shallots and sauté for 2 minutes until softened.

Add the wine, garlic and saffron and simmer until the wine has evaporated and looks syrupy, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the puréed tomatoes, lentils, stock, water, salt and pepper. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes until the lentils are tender.

Uncover the pot, raise heat to medium and add the spinach leaves. Simmer uncovered for 1 to 2 minutes only, until spinach is wilted. Remove from heat, add the vinegar and stir well. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.

Ladle the soup in bowls. Sprinkle with the grated cheese, drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil, and serve immediately.

*Recipe and photo by Food & Style

2 comments

Rumi: July 17, 2018

Hi Pamela! Monterey Jack cheese is a great substitute for manchego and will give you a similar flavor and melt within this recipe!
Pamela: July 17, 2018

This looks amazing. I live in Japan where manchego cheese is not easily available if at all. I will look for it but I wonder what would be a good substitute?