Lentil vegetable soup, chickpea chorizo soup

 

These two recipes (one potentially vegetarian and one not) have three things in common: They're very sturdy soups good for cold, bleary days, they come from the same cookbook and they both taste significantly better if made at least a day ahead. They both qualify for the "One-Bowl Meals" premise if paired with a crusty loaf of bread and a green salad.

Chunky lentil and vegetable soup
From “One-Bowl Meals” by Tonia George

Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
2 carrrots, finely chopped
2 leeks, white parts only, thinly sliced
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
2 14-ounce cans chopped tomatoes
1 cup green lentils (it prefers the frequently elusive Puy lentils)
1 quart broth
Grated Parmesan for garnish

Method
Melt butter in large heavy pan. Add carrots, leeks, onions and garlic and a large pinch of salt. Stir together to coat with butter. Cover and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

When vegetables have softened, add oregano, red pepper flakes, tomatoes, lentils and stock. Cover and let simmer for 30 minutes or until lentils are cooked. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with grated Parmesan. Serves 4 generously.

 Rating: OK-ish the first day, better the second and really at its best by day 4.

 

Chickpea, tomato and chorizo soup
From "One-Bowl Meals" by Tonia George

Ingredients
6 ounces chorizo sausages, sliced
1 red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 14-ounce can chopped tomatoes
leaves from 2 thyme sprigs
1 ¾ cup chickpeas
1 quarter broth

Method
Brown chorizo in a large heavy pot. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened. Add tomatoes and thyme and cook for 5 minutes. Add chickpeas and broth, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for another 10 minutes. Serves 4 generously.

Rating: Not bad even the first day, considerably more flavorful after that. If I wind up with a few chorizo sausages on hand again, I might consider making it again since the rest of the ingredients tend to be on hand already.