Easy Slow Cooker Lentil Soup

Add the onion, celery, carrot, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, lentils, tomatoes, stock and bay leaf to a 6-quart slow cooker, stirring to combine. Do not add the spinach, it will be added at the end.

Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the veggies and lentils are soft.

Remove the lid, remove the bay leaf, add the vinegar, and stir to combine. Add an additional 1-2 cups of stock to thin the soup if necessary. Taste and add the remaining 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional vinegar if desired.

Using an immersion blender, blend for 5-10 seconds. Alternatively, carefully, remove ½ to 1 cup of cooked soup to a blender. Cover, blend on high, then add back to the soup, stirring to combine. Note: Blending for just a few seconds will add a creaminess to the soup, while leaving the texture of most of the lentils and vegetables intact.

Add the spinach, and stir to combine. Serve with a generous drizzle of olive oil, and any other toppings you like.

Set a 6-quart pressure cooker to saute mode for 8 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, onion, a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft.

Cancel the saute function. Add the celery, carrot, garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, lentils, tomatoes, stock, and bay leaf, stirring to combine.

Secure the lid, select the manual setting, and set it to high pressure for 15 minutes.

When the pressure cooker timer is done, allow to naturally release for 15 minutes.

Follow remaining slow cooker steps 3-5.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat in a large Dutch oven. Add the onion and a pinch of salt, stirring to combine. Cook until the onions soften, about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the celery, carrot, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt, stirring to combine. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the lentils, tomatoes, bay leaf, and stock, stirring to combine. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

Cook, covered, until the lentils are soft, about 35-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Follow remaining slow cooker steps 3-5.