This Italian Lentil Soup is simple to make, but hearty and delicious! This is rustic Italian cooking at it’s finest. Serve with a drizzle of good extra virgin olive oil on top, and crusty bread!

Happy 2015, my loves! The first thing I am sharing this year is straight from my Italian mamma’s kitchen, her amazing Lentil Soup. Traditionally, lentils are eaten in Italy on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day for good luck and wealth in the new year, but truth be told, we make this soup all the time and it’s delicious! I mentioned on my Facebook page that my family traditionally eats lentils on NYE and I had a reader ask me for a good lentil soup recipe… so, here we are! Ask and you shall receive, my friends. This is incredibly simple but it packs tons of savory, delicious flavor! It’s healthy without compromising any richness, and it’s the best way to kick off the new year. Resolutions to lose weight and eat better, anyone? This fits right into your new diet, I promise. 🙂

My mom’s family is from Puglia, a region in southern Italy, so a lot of the traditional foods are very simple, peasant recipes! This lentil soup is vegan {because guess what, animal products are expensive!}, and just uses dried lentils, onions, celery, tomatoes, bay leaves, and a little bit of salt and olive oil. Don’t be deceived by it’s simplicity, that’s what makes it so incredibly good! If you’re not a soup person, making this with a bit less water turns it into a creamy lentil side dish, perfect alongside grilled chicken or a yummy roast. Please enjoy this authentic Italian recipe, straight from my kitchen to yours. May your new year be full of luck, wealth, and good health {and lentils}!



