Vegetarian Lentil Soup with Croutons

This aromatic soup is brothy rather than thick. The lentils should be cooked until they're just tender so they stay intact instead of falling apart in the soup.A look at lentils: This earthy-tasting member of the legume family is available in a range of colors and sizes. Lentils are a good source of protein, iron, and phosphorus, and keep for up to a year in an airtight container.
Prep: 10 minutesTotal: 25 minutes

Ingredients:
Serves 4
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 carrots, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
1 bag (1 pound) brown lentils, picked over
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) reduced-sodium vegetable broth
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 dried bay leaf
4 ounces sourdough bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 1 1/2 cups)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add onion and garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Add carrots, lentils, broth, bay leaf, cayenne, and 3 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer, partially covered, until lentils are just tender, about 20 minutes. Discard the bay leaf.
Meanwhile, on a rimmed baking sheet, toss bread with remaining tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Bake until golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes, tossing once halfway through. Serve soup topped with croutons.
From Everyday Food, December 2007