VEGGIE LENTIL SOUP INSTANT POT

recipe for making Veggie Lentil Soup in an Instant Pot. This hearty and nutritious soup is not only easy to prepare but also delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cups spinach or kale, chopped
• Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions:

1. Set your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” function. Add the olive oil and let it heat up.
2. Add the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
3. Add the minced garlic, ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Sauté for another 1-2 minutes until the spices become fragrant.
4. Stir in the chopped zucchini and lentils.
5. Pour in the vegetable broth and add the can of diced tomatoes with their juices. Mix well.
6. Season with salt, black pepper, and add the bay leaves.
7. Close the Instant Pot, ensuring the pressure release valve is set to the “Sealing” position.
8. Set the Instant Pot to the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” mode and cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
9. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow for a natural pressure release for about 10-15 minutes. After that, you can carefully switch the valve to “Venting” to release any remaining pressure.
10. Open the Instant Pot and discard the bay leaves.
11. Stir in the chopped spinach or kale and let it wilt in the hot soup.
12. Finish the soup by adding the lemon juice and giving it a good stir.
13. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
14. Serve hot and enjoy your homemade Veggie Lentil Soup!

This recipe is versatile, so feel free to customize it by adding other vegetables or herbs that you enjoy. It’s a healthy, filling, and flavorful soup that’s perfect for a comforting meal.