Chorizo Lentil Soup

chia's Note:

an old recipe from 2 hot tamales

• Total Time: 1 hrs 20 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 3 -4 dried ancho chiles , wiped clean, stemmed and seeded
• 1 cup water
• 4 slices bacon , thick slices, cut into strips 1-inch long x 1/8-inch wide
• 9 ounces chorizo sausages , removed from casings and crumbled
• 2 medium onions , diced
• 10 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 ½ cups brown lentils , washed and picked over
• 3 quarts chicken stock or 3 quarts vegetable stock or 3 quarts water
• 2 carrots , peeled and diced
• 2 celery ribs , washed and diced
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Garnishes

• ½ bunch parsley , leaves only, chopped
• 1 bunch cilantro , leaves only, chopped
• lime wedge

Directions:

1. Toast the chiles in a dry, cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until brown all over; they will soften, bubble and release their aroma .Place the chiles in a saucepan with the water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook 5 minutes, or until soft. Transfer the chiles with their water to a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Reserve.
2. Fry the bacon in large heavy stockpot over medium-high heat, about 4 minutes. Stir in the chorizo and saute 3 minutes longer, or until browned. Spoon out excess fat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden. Then stir in the garlic and cook for a few minutes to release its aroma. Add the lentils and reserved chile puree and saute an additional minute.
3. Pour in the stock or water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook 10 minutes, occasionally skimming and removing the fat from the top. Stir in the carrots, celery, salt and pepper. Cook over medium-low heat, covered, for about 40 minutes, skimming and discarding the fat from the top. Sprinkle with the chopped parsley and cilantro and serve hot, with the lime wedges if desired.

Reviews

[Chef #1162221]

Probably would have been better if I used authentic mexican chorizo from a mexican store not the chorizo from Krogers. Very smokey flavor. It seemed to rich to eat more then one bowel. DH said it was "ok" might cook again but not going to be on the top of the list for all the prep needed and the time it takes to make this soup.

[Maito]

Love the rich smoky flavor you get from the bacon, chile and chorizo in this soup. I used a fourth of the salt. The lime is a great addition. The serving size is way off on this though, we are big eaters and this would have fed 15-18 for us (served with corn tortillas) had I made a full recipe!

[Charlotte J]

The aroma in the house as I was making this was unbelievable!! I used 4 ancho chiles making this. The chorizo that I bought, was more like a sloppy joe consistency. But I thought that was fine since this made 12- 1 cup servings for me and that way every bowl had some chorizo in it. I'll make this again but use Homemade Chorizo. Made during * Zaar World Tour 5* 2009 game for team *Genies of Gourmet*