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Lentil Soup with Carrot Raisin Salad

7/16/2015

61 Comments

 
Lentil Soup with Carrot Salad
Lentil Soup
Ok, I'm officially pouting. I don't want to face the reality of real life, making appointments, getting things in order, cleaning up my poor dried-out yard, going to the doctor and so on. I don't want to be a participant of life, I want to be an observer. I want to sit in a little French cafe watching people. I want to drink an Anis with lots of ice in the cafe Les Deux Magots in Paris where Hemingway and Jean Paul Sartre had their drinks, I want to admire all the beautiful decorated shop windows and walk until I find another cafe or museum.
Lentil Soup

I will post about my trip to France, later but for reality's sake, I need to make something that will bring me back to earth like good old fashioned lentil soup. I have made this lentil soup many times. It's an old friend of mine. I got some sausages, carrots, potatoes, and fresh herbs  at the farmers' market and will use them for my soup. This recipe is not written in stone, so you can add different ingredients. I have sautéed pancetta with the veggies and that was delicious. It is very easy to make a vegetarian or even vegan version of this soup by omitting the meat and  Parmesan cheese rind, using vegetable broth instead of chicken. You can also add baby spinach with the basil at the end to up the health factor. Puréeing part of the soup gives it a creamy texture. I use an immersion blender, but a blender or food processor will do the same thing. As you see, there are many variations on the theme. Have fun and enjoy this wonderful filling  and healthy soup.   

Carrot Salad
For a little salad, I grated a couple of carrots, added some lemon juice and raisins. It is a great addition to the soup. 

Lentil Soup

I buttered my bread and added thinly sliced radishes sprinkled with coarse sea salt.

Preview Recipe
61 Comments
Suzanne link
7/16/2015 05:16:56 am

Gerlinde, it's been ages since I've had a carrot and raisin salad and I had not even thought of it. It's delicious and such a great combination with that delicious lentil soup. What a lovely meal and can't wait to hear about the trip.

Reply
Gerlinde
7/16/2015 06:03:44 am

Suzanne, my husband is very picky when it comes to eating salad but this is one he likes. I'll try to post about my trip as soon as possible.

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Kay link
7/16/2015 05:23:40 am

That looks I wonderful, comforting and healthy soup! I look forward to hearing more about your French trip. I haven't been to Paris for years but ALWAYS have to go to Les Deux Magots and soak up all the literary history.

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Gerlinde
7/16/2015 06:07:22 am

That place has so much history. I often wonder if all those tourists sitting on those outside tables know about that.

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Joan
7/16/2015 05:26:48 am

I so enjoy your posts. I have roots in Germany through my mother's grandparents and many German dishes were made by my grandmother and mother. Most of yours are new to me, but I like the vegetarian ones you share, too. Plus you write interesting thoughts and views about your travels and family. It is like I get to travel along, too.
I have a question........in this post you mention drinking an Anis.........is that a tea? Can we make it here? I like its flavor and licorice very much, so would like to know about it.
Thanks so much. Please feel free to send an email.
Have a great day.
Joan

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Gerlinde
7/16/2015 06:24:26 am

Thank you Joan you made my day. That's a great question about the Anis , this is an anise licorice flavored aperitif better known as Pastis. The difference is that Pastis has alcohol and Anis is alcohol free. Pastis is sold everywhere and it is very refreshing because it is diluted with water and ice cubes. Ice cubes are special in France . That day at the Deux Magots it was served with a huge bucket of ice. I loved it because it was 102 Fahrenheit. It saved my day.

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Joan
7/16/2015 05:32:48 am

O, and I forgot to mention that I would like to sit with you and be pouting, too. All the dailies of life get in the way of enjoying it.
Sometimes I want to just Be. To listen to the wind and the birds and water lapping on a shore, to smell the flowers and scents of evening and fresh mown grass....to just be a part of what really matters in life.....
I so liked that I am not the only 'life pouter'. Maybe we should begin a world wide movement of us, because surely there are closet pouters everywhere. And you can teach us about sipping Anis...once I know what it is. :-)

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Gerlinde
7/16/2015 06:27:13 am

The heck with Anis , we switch to Pastis and have more fun this way.

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charlotte link
7/16/2015 05:36:28 am

I can totally relate. I often want to go into observation mode. (Especially when there are doctors appointments on the horizon.) You made just the right food for the occasion. Nothing earthier. Nothing more comforting. My Mom used to put raisins in her carrot salad, so already this post is making me feel warm and coddled. And lentil soup is a favorite. I hope you feel a bit less blue soon...

Reply
Gerlinde
7/16/2015 06:29:45 am

Thank you Charlotte, you are so sweet. I feel fine and have adjusted. Life is beautiful and it goes on.

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KathrynR
7/16/2015 05:44:41 am

Oh Gerlinde, your soup and carrot salad look so absolutely delicious! That is a very nice way to bring yourself back down to reality after your trip. I am looking forward to reading about it!

Reply
Gerlinde
7/16/2015 06:30:56 am

Thanks Kathryn, I better get going on my french vacation post.

Reply
EllaDee link
7/16/2015 12:14:35 pm

Reading from a chilly rainy Sydney on the other side of the world, from you in California and from Paris, both diversions are very attractive: eating an earthy tasty soup & bright salad or carefree in Paris :)
I love the idea of adding sausage... the G.O. will enjoy that!

Reply
Gerlinde
7/17/2015 01:47:40 am

For your side of the world it is winter and we are in summer. I often think about that.
The sausages also make the soup more attractive to my man.

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Anne link
7/16/2015 05:41:21 pm

Always a blow to come back to reality but making and eating an old favourite softens the blow a little. I like the idea of your radish sandwich.

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Gerlinde
7/17/2015 01:49:01 am

With the right bread the radish sandwich is divine.

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Penny link
7/16/2015 10:44:57 pm

Yum. Your various additions to lentil soup are inspiring and have me longing for winter, or at least cooler months, and a steaming bowl, though I must admit to enjoying hot soup on a hot day, too.
As to the carrot salad, I'll make some soon. I don't know why I don't make it as we eat a lot of carrots. Here's to reading about your trip soon, Gerlinde.

Reply
Gerlinde
7/17/2015 01:54:14 am

I don't like soup on very hot days but we often have foggy cool days here in Santa Cruz and then soup is ok. Have a wonderful weekend!

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Sabine link
7/17/2015 01:01:14 am

I love your daydreaming about being an observer - you speak from my soul! Also, I´d love your carrot& raisin salad, and my wish of observing ends here: I want to try :-)!

Reply
Gerlinde
7/17/2015 02:03:30 am

Hi Sabine, I hope we get to be observers more often. Do you have any ideas of improving the carrot salad? Have a great weekend!

Reply
Sabine link
7/23/2015 07:10:20 am

Hmm, perhaps a little cinnamon & coriander? Or some couscous and olive oil if you wanted a richer version.

Deb|EastofEdenCook link
7/17/2015 03:22:22 am

Your posts are always so refreshing Gerlinde! Real food, that tastes wonderful. Simply prepared with seasonal flavors that sparkle! I make a similar lentil soup but never thought to puree half for a creamy base, excellent! I also am looking forward to stories of France in the summer!

Reply
Gerlinde
7/17/2015 12:14:26 pm

Thank you Deb, you are always so kind. Have a great weekend.

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Kennedy Cole| KCole's Creative Corner link
7/17/2015 03:54:42 am

That fresh carrot raisin salad looks like the perfect side to go with the lentil soup! Even though it's feels like 110 degrees where we live, I would totally eat this soup! ;) Thanks for sharing!

Reply
Gerlinde
7/17/2015 12:25:45 pm

Thank you Kennedy, the carrot salad is one of the few salads my husband will eat. Have a great weekend.

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Nicole @ thejameskitchen link
7/17/2015 03:55:12 am

Gerlinde, I love a hearty lentil soup and a fresh salad on the side but your bread with radish slices catapults me to a warm a fuzzy place. That's the sandwich my grandmother made me to take to Kindergarten!
Nicole

Reply
Gerlinde
7/17/2015 12:31:34 pm

Hi Nicole, my favorite sandwich was a Mettwurstbrot ( salami sandwich) when I was in school.

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sippitysup link
7/18/2015 06:38:39 am

I know it's not Paris but it's a beautiful soup. One I've taken comfort in myself. GREG

Reply
Gerlinde
7/19/2015 01:26:37 am

Thanks Greg

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Sherry M link
7/18/2015 07:12:12 pm

Yum I love lentils. So tasty and good for you. And I love carrots and raisins in a sandwich:)

Reply
Gerlinde
7/19/2015 01:28:25 am

What a good ides to put the salad in a sandwich, I have never done that before.

Reply
grace link
7/20/2015 12:52:28 am

hooray for lentils! they're my favorite soup ingredient in the world, and what you've made here looks marvelous!

Reply
Gerlinde
7/20/2015 01:42:08 pm

Thank you Grace, also love lentils in soups and salads.

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Mary Ann | the beach house kitchen link
7/20/2015 01:45:30 am

Gerlinde these two recipes sound wonderful! When I was younger I was not a fan of lentil soup, but how things change! It's now one of my favorites! Will definitely be trying these! Looking forward to hearing about your trip!

Reply
Gerlinde
7/20/2015 01:45:00 pm

Thank you Mary Ann, I'm trying to post about my trip but I'm having some problems with my photos.

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TheKitchenLioness
7/21/2015 03:29:26 pm

Dear Gerlinde, I can understand about that pouting, the slight tinge of depression that settles in when we return from a trip! But you took amazing pictures (that we all admired on fb) and you had a wonderful time (despite that nasty heat wave) and I cannot imagine a more comforting dish than a lovely lentil soup with freshly grated carrot salad and a radish "tartine" (sounds so much better than "sandwich") to make you feel better!
Enjoy the delightful food that you always prepare, dear friend and I know you will feel better immediately!
Liebe Grüsse aus Bonn,
Andrea

Reply
Gerlinde
7/22/2015 12:28:02 pm

Thank you Andrea for being such a dear friend. You are right , "tartine" sounds so much better than sandwich. Have a wonderful weekend!

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Fae's Twist & Tango link
7/22/2015 10:16:02 am

Gerlinde, Lentils are so delicious and satisfying. I love them in soups. Yum. I love carrot-raisin salad too. It has been a while. I shall make it soon.

Reply
Gerlinde
7/22/2015 12:35:38 pm

Thank you Fae, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.There is something about lentils that makes them special to me.

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Maureen link
7/23/2015 10:28:01 am

I love carrot salad like this and your lentil soup sounds really comforting. It's cold today and this is what I want. :)

Reply
Gerlinde
7/24/2015 12:11:19 pm

I would make some for you if you lived nearby and you could make some of your wonderful food for me. Or, we go to the "Loose Goose" for dinner!

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Tricia @ Saving room for dessert link
7/25/2015 10:07:21 am

We are big fans of lentils and I will need to make this soup! Lovely :)

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Gerlinde
7/27/2015 02:50:46 pm

Let me know how you liked it.

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Dedy@Dentist Chef link
7/25/2015 02:17:35 pm

Damn deliicous n comforting soup!!!

Reply
Gerlinde
7/27/2015 02:51:22 pm

Thanks Dedy

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nancy at good food matters link
7/29/2015 04:24:55 am

Hi Gerlinde, I had to laugh, reading your "pout." Re-entry, after such an amazing trip, is so difficult. You were wise to make this soup, "an old friend" to help ground you.
You've made wonderful memories with your Paris trip. As you write in your other post, "We'll always have Paris." Bienvenue! Nancy

Reply
Gerlinde
7/6/2017 10:41:54 pm

Thank you Nancy, I needed a lot of grounding when I returned from my trip.

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Karen (Back Road Journal) link
8/2/2015 06:41:09 am

It is hard to make the adjustment back to our daily lives after a nice holiday…even harder when you've returned from such a wonderful city such as Paris. I think you made a perfect meal and I love the color that the carrots brought to table as lentil soup has so little.

Reply
Gerlinde
8/2/2015 01:35:55 pm

Thank you Karen, getting a good shot of the lentil soup was difficult. It looked disgusting most of the time. I am such beginner when it comes to photography, I have a lot to learn.

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Kathie at Prairie Cottage Corner link
12/4/2015 03:56:26 pm

You hit the nail on the head. These are two of my most favorite dishes; and right together. My mother taught me to make carrot and raisin salad and I always made it for my kids. But I've seldom seen it elsewhere until just now on your blog. And lentil soup is my favorite of all soups. Lentils are a miracle food, I think. Quick, savory and satisfying; I long for them on chilly days and in winter evenings. Thanks so much for sharing this.

Reply
Gerlinde
12/4/2015 08:11:57 pm

Thank you Kathie for your kind words. I love lentil soup and the carrot salad has been a stable in my kitchen for a long time.

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Agness of Run Agness Run link
6/22/2017 11:00:10 am

Yummy! This is my kind of a salad! Can't wait to give it a try!

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Gerlinde
6/23/2017 10:51:19 am

Thank you Agnes

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SipppitySup link
6/23/2017 11:47:29 am

Hey! Your quote "there are many variations on the theme" is participating in life. That's the very definition! Well that and enjoying this beautiful food. GREG

Reply
Gerlinde
6/26/2017 11:57:32 am

I agree Greg, life and food can be very interesting.

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grace link
6/23/2017 02:09:21 pm

lentils make the best soups! what a filling and flavorful meal!

Reply
Gerlinde
6/26/2017 12:01:12 pm

I love lentil soup, especially when there is a nice sausage in it.

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Ritu Ahuja link
7/4/2017 08:19:15 am

This lentil soup with carrot raisin salad looks super yummy. Delicious and awesome meal :)

Reply
Gerlinde
7/6/2017 10:43:11 pm

Thank you Ritu, I enjoy a good soup with a crunchy salad.

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Liz link
7/5/2017 04:47:59 pm

Welcome home...yeah, back to reality isn't too exciting. But your lovely dishes are! I love the sound of your lentil soup and I haven't made carrot salad in years. Perfect summer side!

Reply
Gerlinde
7/6/2017 10:37:56 pm

Your right, coming back to reality isn't very exciting.

Reply

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