Packed with hearty vegetables, ham, and pantry staples, classic French lentil soup is on heavy rotation across French households during the winter. The key ingredient to this staple dish is a French culinary treasure: nutty, firm, and nutrient-rich Le Puy lentils, which make it both healthy and filling. Whether you’re looking to lighten up your meals in January or simply warm up with a comforting bowl of soup, it’s a great recipe to add to your repertoire. Getting to Know French Lentils Known in France as “poor man’s caviar,” Puy lentils—often referred to as French lentils in North America—are a prized French pulse, beloved amongst French home cooks for making soups and salads and to accompany meat or fish in lieu of potatoes. Not to be confused with your typical green lentils, Puy lentils are a particular strain of French green lentils, darker in hue, smaller in size, and rich …