Lentils are one of the best “frugal” foods to keep in the pantry – you can use them in salads, soups, or even for imitation sloppy joes, not to mention they are wonderful for you, too!
This soup was nothing more than a mistake ~ when you have to make your husband lunch and you open the fridge to see 1/2 of an onion, 1/2 of a green bell pepper.. Yikes. What can I do with that?
At that point I enter the pantry to find a scant 3/4 C. wild rice, and just 1/2 C. of each green and red lentils. There has to be a way to make something with these items… so you give it a whirl in your Instant Pot and next thing you know, your husband tells you it’s the best Lentil Soup he has ever had.
It truly is a breeze – you could even throw in some carrots if you had some of those lingering in your crisper drawer.
- 1 C. wild rice
- 2 1/4 C. water
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1/2 bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, diced
- 1/2 C. red lentils
- 1/2 C. green lentils
- 4 C. vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt (or to taste)
- In a medium skillet, combine wild rice and water. Bring to a boil then cover and cook for 20-25 minutes until done.
- In your Instant Pot, push saute, and add the butter, onion, garlic and pepper. Saute for 2-3 minutes or until onions are clear. Turn OFF the saute function.
- Add all of the other ingredients, and pour the vegetable broth over the top.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, close the valve, and cook on high (manual) for 18 minutes. It will take a few minutes for the pot to come to pressure. Once it comes to pressure, the 18 minutes will count down.
- Once the pot is done (beeps), allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then do a quick release with the remaining pressure.
- Add the cooked wild rice, and any additional broth, depending on your preference (thick/thin).
- Add salt, taste test and add more if needed.
- Ladle into bowls.
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can pick one up on Amazon – it’s an amazing investment in something that will help you cook healthier, and replace all those crock pots you have in your kitchen.
Why wouldn’t you include the wild rice in the cooker when you do the lentils?