Perhaps my favorite culinary compliment came when my husband walked in the door after getting home from work and asked, “Why does it smell like Spain in here?” The answer to that question was a simmering pot of Lentejas con Chorizo.
My husband’s family is from Segovia, Spain and he had grown up knowing the beauty of Spanish food, but I was a country girl from Alabama and I had no idea these flavors even existed. My knowledge of international cuisine consisted in spaghetti being Italian and tacos being Mexican. Oh boy. Well let me tell you, I’ve come a long way, baby.
Our visit to Spain was the trip of a lifetime. We stayed with Joe’s family, ate at their tables, sampled pinchos (tapas) from various bars, and were constantly surprised by these simple yet elegant tastes. I am looking forward to sharing with you the many delights we found on Spanish tables.
The one you are looking at is the perfect dining experience at home on a night like tonight (an artic blast covering practically the whole country). Add crusty bread, a glass of Rioja wine, and a fire, and let the problems of the world wait for a while.
The smell Joe noticed as he walked through the door was the smell of Spanish paprika. I would not make this dish with any other. It is distinct, pungent, and earthy. It is the smell of Spain.
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups of lentils
1 chorizo (9 oz), sliced
4 cloves of garlic, unpeeled
1 medium onion, diced
1 large potato, peeled and diced
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 tbls of Spanish paprika (smoked or hot)
Olive oil for sautéing
Salt to taste
Instructions
Wash lentils.
Place lentils, chorizo, whole garlic cloves, carrots, and potatoes in a large pot.
Pour water at least 3 fingers over total.
Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Let cook uncovered stirring occasionally.
Fry onions in a pan with olive oil until slightly browned, then add Spanish paprika and cook for a minute.
Add onions to the pot of lentils. Salt to taste.
Cook for 45 minutes.
Remove the cloves of garlic, squeeze garlic from its skin and mash.
Return to the pot. Salt to taste.
Enjoy!
Lentejas con Chorizo (Spanish Lentil Soup)
Ingredients
- 1-¾ cup Lentils
- 1 whole 9 Oz. Size Chorizo, Sliced
- 4 cloves Garlic Unpeeled
- 2 Carrots Peeled And Diced
- 1 Large Potato Peeled And Diced
- 1 Medium Onion Diced
- Olive Oil For Sautéing
- 1 Tablespoon Spanish Paprika smoked or hot
- Salt To Taste
Instructions
- Wash lentils. Place lentils, chorizo, whole garlic cloves, carrots, and potatoes in a large pot. Pour in enough water until everything is covered by the at least the width of 3 fingers.
- Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Let cook uncovered stirring occasionally.
- Fry onions in a pan with olive oil until slightly browned, then add Spanish paprika and cook for a minute. Add onions to the pot of lentils. Cook for 45 minutes.
- Remove the cloves of garlic, squeeze garlic from its skin and mash. Return to the pot. Salt to taste.
I love food! I read cookbooks like they were novels. I get giddy in a farmer’s market. I find a chicken in a pot surrounded by carrots, onion, and celery a thing of beauty. My favorite sound is Mmmmmmmm!
Definetly pimenton is the essence, along with olive oil, garlic, parsley and wine, of spanish flavors. I can imagen your husband’s face as he was comming in home and felt that glorious but still towny smell.
He was in heaven! I love all the flavors of Spain, especially the wine. 🙂
This soup is currently simmering on my stove. I have lived in Madrid for over a year and have been dying to know a recipe similar to the ones the restaurants here use for their lentejas con chorizo, but have yet to find a good recipe. When I read that your husband’s family was from Segovia I knew that I had found a winner. 🙂 Thanks for the recipe. It smells INCREDIBLE and I can’t wait to try it!!
Oh, that makes my day! It has become a staple in our house and takes us back to Spain every time we have it. I hope you enjoy it!
You don’t mention whether your pimenton (paprika) is picante or dulce (hot or sweet/smoky). Looks like a great recipe though.
I used hot paprika, and thanks! I love this recipe.
Phew! I was about to start and looked in my cupboard. I have sweet, bittersweet, smoked and hot .. and I was stumped!!
I have also used smoked Spanish paprika and it’s delicious! I hope you enjoy it!
Just studied abroad in Sevilla and this was my favorite meal made by my wonderful host mother. Thanks for sharing the recipe, it was spot on! Brought back the wonderful smells and tastes of España. Qué rico!
I just love that food can take us right back there. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Love love love it! I have made it many times! Can you give me the nutritional information?
…and that’s exactly how to make lentejas con chorizo. Smashing the garlic, good idea grat idea to be added. This dish is perfect, cheap and easy to make and next ay it tastes even better.
To make it even better, add white vinegar at your discretion to your plate…perfecto!!!
Only issue is to be able to find Spanish lentils (maybe the canadian ones as I can see in the pic. I am always well stocked with lentils from Leon from my trips back to Spain.
Un saludo
Gracias, Alfonso! Your comment makes my day. I know the next time we go to Spain I’ll bring back some lentejas, along with paprika and wine! I’ve never heard of adding vinegar, but the next time I make them I’ll give it a try.
My best to you!
I just made this without the chorizo and it turned out exactly how I remembered my host mother made it when I studied in Granada. Such a wonderful treat for a cool, fall day. I warmed up a baguette and dipped it in while I ate it. It was as close as I could find to the wonderful fresh bread that was served each day with “la comida.”
It makes me so happy to think that this recipe of mine enabled you to go back to such a special time in your life. 🙂 I know what you’re talking about when you talk of the fresh bread of Spain. I have found some that come close but are never quite the same. It is a coincidence that you comment on this recipe while I happen to have it simmering away on my stove. ¡Buenos recuerdos!
Love this recipe! My husband is from Spain as well. When he tasted this he had the biggest smile- it reminded him of home. Thank you for this!
Where are your soup bowls and pot from?
It makes me so happy to hear that! It the best compliment I could get. 🙂 I bought the bowls and soup pot from La Tienda, tienda.com and I love them!
Thanks again!
Tammy
I used to despise lentejas with a passion when I was younger but now I love them; funny how tastes drastically change. I’ve never seen the trick of mashing the garlic but I don’t know if I could resist; I love sucking the cooked garlic from the skins lol Feel free to check out my recipe to see how my Spanish family makes lentejas, which is very similar to yours but different.
Por cierto (you understand Spanish, right?), tus lentejas tienen una pinta estupenda!
Gracias! I understand and read Spanish fairly well, but speaking it is another story! My family in Spain are very patient with my broken Spanish. jajaja I agree with you that our taste change for the better as we grow up. As for the garlic, I just couldn’t bear to throw it away. 😀
hehe so the garlic thing is your own little trick, then? Cool!
Well, it was an option in the recipe, but I had to use them. 😀
Oh this was my favorite dish during my time in Spain. I used to request it from my host mother at least once a week. So excited to try out this recipe today!
Oh, I hope you enjoy it and it brings back good memories!
I’m so hopelessly in love with a Spanish guy so to somehow ease the pain of an unrequited love, I’m gonna make me this food.
Made today – absolutely delicious!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
My husband comes from Madrid in Spain… Pop innsliced bell peppers leeks and sliced pork belly … perfection … make this dish all the time along with paella and Cuban rice
Oh that does sound wonderful!
Hello! I am so happy for your recipe, I make this food at least once a month during the winter months here in Latvia, but I enjoy it also in the summer. In the winter with a glass of Rioja, in the summer with a light beer, like a Corona with lime. My Spanish friend from Santander introduced me to this simple, yet delicious dish, and I searched the net to find the recipe. Yours is by far the best, and I follow it every time 🙂 Greetings from Latvia (Northern Europe).
That makes me so happy! Thank you very much for your comment. I love how food can connect people from all over the world.