Spanish Lentil soup with chorizo is one of the staple dishes commonly enjoyed in households across Spain. While it’s true that each home has its own tradition of adding or omitting certain ingredients based on personal preferences, this is the basic recipe for lentils with chorizo.
Spanish Lentil Soup with Chorizo
Lentils have been part of the Mediterranean diet for over 7,000 years and are one of the quintessential Mediterranean crops.
Spanish lentil soup with chorizo is one of the top 5 dishes enjoyed by all Spaniards. Few traditional recipes are as commonly consumed in Spanish households as the one we are sharing below.
Lentils: A Mediterranean Superfood
Lentils contain 23.5% protein, more than many types of meat or fish. The advantage is that they have no cholesterol or saturated fats and are easy to digest.
Their carbohydrates are complex and slow-absorbing, allowing glucose to enter the bloodstream gradually, preventing blood sugar spikes—a beneficial characteristic for diabetics.
Another notable property of lentils is their dietary fiber, which contributes to the slow absorption of glucose and has a high satiating power. It also aids in intestinal transit and protects the gut microbiota.
This superfood is renowned for being a rich source of minerals, especially iron. A single serving provides more than one-third of the daily iron requirement.
Lentils in Don Quixote
Don Quixote and lentils are curiously connected, as this humble dish is mentioned in “Don Quixote de la Mancha,” the renowned work by Miguel de Cervantes. Lentils, being a typical and affordable food of the time, are part of the gastronomic references that paint a picture of daily life during the Spanish Golden Age.
In the first chapter, when Cervantes describes Don Quixote’s routine before becoming a knight-errant, he details his diet:
“A stew with more beef than mutton, hash most nights, eggs and bacon on Saturdays, lentils on Fridays, and an occasional pigeon on Sundays.”
Here, lentils stand out as part of the simple and frugal diet of the protagonist, fitting his status as a rural gentleman. This detail highlights the character’s connection to the dietary customs of his time in Spain.
Spanish Lentil Soup with Chorizo
Spanish Lentil Soup with Chorizo is one of the top 5 dishes enjoyed by all Spaniards. Few traditional recipes are as popular in Spanish households as the one we’re sharing below.
Ingredients
- 350 grams of lentils
- 1 sweet or spicy chorizo (or 1/2 depending on size)
- 1 medium-sized potato
- 1 grated tomato
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 1 carrot
- 1/2 onion
- 1 tablespoon of sweet paprika
- 2 garlic cloves
- A pinch of salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
Instructions
Empezamos haciendo un sofrito en nuestra olla con una base de aceite y añadimos la cebolla, el pimiento y los ajos picados muy finos y la sal, a fuego Start by preparing a sauté in a pot with a base of olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion, bell pepper, garlic, and a pinch of salt, cooking over low heat. This will allow the vegetables to release their juices.
Once the onion becomes translucent, add the chorizo (whole or sliced) and the sweet paprika. Stir to combine with the vegetables and the juices at the bottom of the pot. Before the paprika burns, add the grated tomato and the carrot. Increase the heat to medium to help evaporate the excess water from the tomato.
Add the lentils, diced potatoes, bay leaves, and enough water to cover everything. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for about 50 minutes with the lid on.
Serve in a deep bowl and garnish with a sprig of parsley or rosemary, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 230Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 137mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 10gSugar: 5gProtein: 12g
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