But the edge lentils have over their fellow legumes is that they cook from dried in a fraction of the time, which is a welcome bonus in our time-starved lives. These hearty soup recipes put the ...

Maybe it's time to add soup to your breakfast ... suggested in the recipe. I knew that doing so would add a sweeter tomato flavor and a nice balance to the earthy lentils. I used chicken broth ...

Bring to the boil and simmer for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the lentils have started to break down. Blend the soup in a liquidiser or food processor until smooth.

To get started, try a basic recipe, such as this red lentil soup, which gets its flavor from a handful of vegetables and seasonings. Check out Food & Wine's guide for other lentil soup ideas.