Perfect Handful-Style Lentil Soup
·Soak the lentils the day before
Soak the brown lentils in cold water the day before cooking. The next day, drain and rinse them well. Adjust the amount of ingredients depending on how thick you like your soup — just add things in by the handful.
Chop the onion
Melt the butter in a pot and use it to sweat the onion until translucent. Chop one of the three onions into slightly larger cubes, and dice the remaining two as finely as you can.
Add the lentils and pearl barley
Once the onion is nicely softened, tip in the soaked lentils, then add the dry red lentils and pearl barley. Stir well and pour in the stock. This is a handful-style soup, so feel free to adjust the quantities to your taste.
Simmer until tender and season
Simmer until all the ingredients are tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Top up with water or more stock if needed. Season with salt and pepper.