Swiss Chard and Lentil Soup With Lemon Juice

Ingredients

• 9 cups water
• 1 cup green lentil, picked through
• 1 bunch swiss chard, stemmed and chopped
• 10 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed to a paste
• salt
• 2 lemons, juice of
• 1/2 bunch cilantro, stemmed and chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1-2 cup of diced potato (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Wash the strips of Swiss Chard; drain.

2. 2

   In a large saucepan put the lentils and about 9 cups of water, place on high heat. Bring

3. 3

   to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and add the Swiss Chard. Cover and boil gently for 15 minutes.

4. 4

   Meanwhile heat the olive oil in a skillet, add onions. Cook on medium heat until translucent; add the garlic paste and cilantro and cook gently for 3 minutes; transfer to the saucepan and mix well with the softened chard and the lentils.

5. 5

   Continue cooking covered for another 45 minutes until the lentils are tender.

6. 6

   Slowly incorporate the lemon juice, season with salt and pepper; simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.

7. 7

   Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, serve at room temperature.

8. 8

   In the winter I tend to add potatoes to this soup, making it more hearty. This soup is nice and tart.