Čočková Polévka - Czech Lentil Soup
Delve into the heartwarming flavors of the Czech Republic with this traditional Čočková Polévka. This hearty lentil soup combines the earthy texture of lentils with the savory, smoky taste of kielbasa sausage, enriched with aromatic vegetables and a deep beef broth. It's a soulful dish perfect for cozy nights.
Ingredients
🥄 2 cups dried brown or green lentils
🥣 8 cups Kroger Beef Broth Less Sodium
🌭 1 pound Hillshire Farm Polska Kielbasa
🥕 3 carrots
🧄 4-6 cloves garlic
🧅 2 medium white onions
🧂 1 teaspoon Morton Iodized Salt
🌶️ 1 teaspoon Kroger Black Pepper
🌿 1 teaspoon Kroger Oregano
Instructions
1- Prepare Lentils:
- Begin by sorting through 2 cups of dried lentils to remove debris. Boil in a large pot until they are tender, then set aside.
2- Prepare Vegetables:
- Slice 4-6 cloves of garlic thinly.
- Cut 3 carrots into thin rounds.
- Peel and coarsely chop 2 medium white onions. Use a Cuisinart food processor to finely chop the onions.
3- Cook Kielbasa:
- On a gas grill, cook 1 pound of Hillshire Farm Polska Kielbasa until it bears slight char marks for an authentic smoky flavor.
4- Slice Kielbasa:
- Once grilled, cut the kielbasa into small, bite-sized pieces.
5- Strain Lentils:
- Use a large stainless steel strainer basket to drain the cooked lentils, reserving a portion for the soup.
6- Purée Lentils:
- Combine the remaining cooked lentils with some Kroger Beef Broth in a Pyrex measuring cup, and purée using the Cuisinart immersion blender until smooth.
7- Sauté Vegetables:
- In a cast iron skillet, sauté the chopped onions, garlic, and carrots with a wooden spoon until soft and aromatic.
8- Combine Ingredients:
- In a large stockpot, combine 8 cups of beef broth, the sautéed vegetables, the reserved whole lentils, and the puréed lentil mixture.
9- Season and Simmer:
- Season with 1 teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, and oregano. Bring to a simmer and allow the flavors to meld.
10- Serve:
- Ladle into bowls, garnishing with slices of grilled kielbasa. Enjoy warm.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 350 per serving
Proteins: 22g per serving
Fats: 14g per serving
Carbohydrates: 36g per serving
Equipment:
- Large stockpot
- Wooden cutting board
- Stainless steel chef's knife
- Cuisinart food processor
- Gas grill
- Stainless steel tongs
- Fork for slicing
- Large stainless steel strainer basket
- Pyrex glass measuring cup (4-cup capacity)
- Cuisinart immersion blender
- Cast iron skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Ladle
- Decorative serving bowl
Cooking Tips
- Onion Tears: Wear goggles to prevent tearing when chopping onions.
- Maximize Flavor: Grill kielbasa until it’s deeply browned for added smokiness.
- Thickening Technique: Use puréed lentils instead of flour for a thick, rich soup consistency.
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