Earthy, rustic and comforting, Red Lentil Soup is light yet filling and a wonderful -- and easy -- starter

Lentil soup is comforting, simple and easy to throw together with the bare minimum of ingredients. It's my go-to when I want something hearty but healthy, when my body needs a reset from a spate of indulgent eating, or when I'm tasked with feeding vegetarian or vegan friends on a chilly day.

This pared-down red lentil version is the one I make most often, and it never fails to please.

Red lentils are perfect for weeknights, or whenever you're in a hurry to get a meal on the table. Due to how they're processed, de-husked and split before packaging, they cook up quicker than any other variety of legumes, although they are slightly lower in fiber than the larger whole varieties. Also note that while they're a lovely salmon pink in the package, their color changes as they cook, fading to a golden yellow hue as they melt into a soup, stew, or curry.

But their speediness is so appreciated. A half hour is all it takes to go from stovetop to table, and much of that time can be spent doing something else.

While the soup is simmering, you've got some time to figure out what to serve alongside it. I often pair lentil soup with crusty bread, toasting it with a drizzle of olive oil and some shredded parmesan cheese if I'm feeling indulgent. Slice your bread thick enough to tear off nice big hunks, perfect for dunking and swabbing up the last few drops of soup.

As a finishing touch, consider topping your bowls with a swirl of peppery olive oil, a dollop of tangy yogurt or my personal favorite, gremolata. This simple combination of chopped garlic, parsley and lemon zest gives the soup a punch of freshness, brightening up the bowl.

RED LENTIL SOUP

Serves 4

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 large carrot, diced

• 2 large ribs celery, diced

• 1 small yellow onion, diced

• 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste

• 1 cup red lentils

• 4 cups water or low-sodium broth

• 1 whole bay leaf

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice from 1/2 large lemon

• Olive oil, yogurt or other topping, to serve

. In a medium (2- to 3-quart) saucepan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the carrot, celery, onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Stir to combine, then cover and let the vegetables sweat until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

Add the lentils, the water or broth, and the bay leaf. Bring up to a boil, and then turn the heat down to low and let simmer, covered, until the lentils begin to fall apart, about 20 minutes.

Turn off the heat, stir in the lemon juice, and add salt to taste. Ladle into bowls and serve. Leftovers will keep refrigerated for 5 days.

Recipe notes

To perk up the soup just before serving, top it with a drizzle of peppery olive oil, a dollop of plain yogurt, a sprinkle of sumac, or a spoonful of gremolata.

This recipe is pared down to just the basics -- you can certainly add a teaspoon of garam masala, Italian herbs or any other seasoning blend to spice things up a bit if you like. Just add the spices in along with the lentils and broth.

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Coco Morante is a writer for TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to kitchn@apartmenttherapy.com