Personally I love running my fingers through rice but lentils feel good too! Looks like a delicious soup.

I seem to be lentil challenged — far too often mine turn to mush. At one of my favorite places — Star Provisions in Atlanta — I saw black lentils. I wonder about those.

this looks great!

That scene in Amelie Poulain has always stuck in my mind.

Great post!

You know I’ve always been a little biased against lentil soups unless they are made Indian-style. But that looks really yummy. Maybe it’s your brilliant photography and food styling. I love the colour of the bowl! Hmm, I may just try this soup.

Yvonne, in the (italian) family of my husband, it is tradition to eat lentils on New Year’s Eve, that is to say just after midnight. The first dish served in the new year. It is supposed to bring you luck and success and … lots of “soldi”
Great post, I love lentils !

cooking should be a sensual experience. I love lentil soup and your lentil soup looks so much more appealing (colour) than traditional lentil soups….I can’t wait to try it. Amelie is one of my current favorite movies (soon to be one of my alltime favs)…everytime I see it, I get more from it.

Red lentils are really nice, I often slip some into my soups to add some substance. And to deceive my children into eating them…nice recipe and lovely pic, Ivonne!

Don’t remember that scene, so I guess I’ll have to watch the movie again. This soup looks great! Did you make the breadsticks too? Your photos are lovely!

That is one of my favorite movies. And I love doing that, sinking my hand into piles of lentils, or beans, or rice, feeling the temperature gradient and smoothness as I go further in… it’s positively erotic, in a sense.

I love the color and texture of the final product. I can almost see how lentil soup could be worth selling one’s birthright for.

Ah yes Ivonne, I fully agree about the nice feeling of touch with lentils! Divine!. Love your soup!

Hi VK,

The soup was very good and the lentils certainly felt wonderful!

Hi Janice,

Lentils do have a tendency to fall apart after cooking, so that’s why you really have to keep an eye on them and not cook them too much. This soup and a lovely thick consistency as the lentils melted into the broth. Really nice.

Hi Ann,

Thanks so much!

Hi Alison,

Yes I just love the look of pleasure on Amelie’s face!

Hi MM,

I would definitely give it a try. The coriander and cumin give it a nice spice punch … as do the chile flakes.

Hi Ann,

Yes I’ve heard of that tradtion of eating lentils at New Year’s Eve … maybe we should try and see if those “soldi” come our way!

Hi Hag,

I feel the same way about Amelie. And I think the red lentils really help with the colour of the soup. While brown and green lentils are good, their colour isn’t exactly appetizing!

Hi Kat,

No I didn’t make the breadsticks. They’re actuall black olive breadsticks that I buy at my local supermarket. They were a great garnish!

Hi Danielle,

A woman after my own heart! I know what you mean about the whole lentils/rice/beans thing. It just feel so good!

Bonjour Bea,

Merci! Merci! Merci!

Ciao Ilva … I almost missed you there!

What a great way to get your children to eat lentils. Bravissima!

Gorgeous soup — and so quick to prepare! Although I’d waste time idly playing with the lentils…

Ahhh Amelie, an excellent movie, full of simple pleasures. I love the scene where she breaks through the caramel on Creme Brulee too. Your soup looks delicious, warming and hearty Ivonne, some of what I could use right now as it’s very wet and miserable here today.

Oh, but I could use a bowl of your lovely lentil soup today! I love lentils and know just how the wonderful Amelie felt as he rhand plunged inside the bag. However my favorite scene is when she instructs Nino to kiss her eyelids - so sweet!

Hi BNA,

I know what you mean … I like playing with the lentils as well!

Hi Bron,

Well come on over and I’ll get some ready for you!

Hi Rorie,

I have so many favourite scenes from that movie!

This looks great, Ivonne. I love red lentils!

OMG yes I LOVE that scene! I remember walking into a Whole Foods right after seeing that and running into the bulk bin of lentils. I was about to do it when my friend stopped me with “what the hell do you think you’re doing?!?” to which I replied “enjoying life.”

he didn’t get it. but don’t ever doubt the lentils. especially in soup.

Ivonne,
My oh my, visiting your blog again is like an unexpected treat! I was trying to catch up with updates on Bloglines and first I saw your beautiful photo of red lentil soup then I scrolled down and saw the chocolate amaretti and went “Wahhhhh! I want those!!” The mascarpone cheesecake grabbed my attention too and I was only to pleased to “feel” a sugar rush coming on. I am so weak.

Glad to be getting my feeties wet and back into the food blog arena!

Hi Catherine,

I’m so glad you like the soup!

Hi Vanessa,

What a cute story! Your friend should see Amelie … then he’d get it!

Hi Rowena,

How wonderful to see your comments! And I’m so glad that you’re getting those sweet feet back into the swing of things.

Lots of love from me to you!

What a beautiful presentation - and fabulous looking soup! I love it!

I love your site !! Thank you

Ivonne - what a lovely soup & great photo! Sweet synchronicity, I actually just made a lentil soup as well (from The Silver Spoon) but I used a mixture of green & red lentils, so it’s not quite as pretty - I’m running behind on my posts, but hopefully I’ll get a bunch of new ones on soon!

I’m not at all a lentil fan, but this looks so good that I just have to give it a try!

Hi Karina,

Thanks so much!

Hi Chanit,

I feel the same about your blog … keep up the great work!

Hi Silversara,

I know how easty it is to get behind with the blogging … I look forward to your next one!

Hi Anne,

If it makes you feel any better I’m not much of a lentil fan either (except to touch them of course) but this was a good soup!

That is certainly the prettiest lentil soup I’ve ever seen! I’ve always been a bit averse to them myself, but maybe I’ve only had the mushy, flavorless preparation. They’re so good for you; I’d really like to like them more. Maybe this soup will convert me (like your gnocchi recipe did!!)

Hi Jennifer,

I certainly hope you become a convert!

After seeing this recipe, I tried it last night, albeit with green lentils.
I’ve always shied away from lentil soup, but this was great. A bit of spiciness, but not too much. Although I liked the initial lemon taste, I think I’ll try it with sherry vinegar next time.
Regardless, you’ve got another convert.

Hi Michel,

Thanks so much for stopping by Cream Puffs in Venice! You know great minds think alike because I was thinking of adding sherry vinegar as well! I’m glad you liked the soup … your version sounds delicious!

I love your site!! The photos are spectacular!!

Hi Jen,

Thanks so much for visiting Cream Puffs in Venice and thanks for your kinds words!