My Go-to Lentil Soup Recipe
January 12th, 2011 § 4 Comments
I have no idea from where this recipe originated. It’s written in my circa 1995 handwriting on a piece of food-splattered, wrinkled notebook paper. My handwriting is constantly changing, it’s bizarre. I couldn’t copy this script now if I tried.
Lentil Soup
Go-to Lentil Soup
Serves approximately 6 people
Ingredients
1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 organic carrots, diced
2 stalks organic celery, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 (14.5 oz.) can organic crushed tomatoes (I usually use a 28 oz. can** - pwa)
2 cups dried lentils, picked over and rinsed
8 cups water, organic vegetable broth, or organic chicken broth (I use 8 cups of vegetable broth – pwa)
1/2 cup organic spinach, rinsed and thinly sliced, optional
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, optional
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery; cook and stir until onion is tender. Stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano, and basil; cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in lentils and add broth and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for at least 1 hour. When ready, stir in spinach, and cook until it wilts. Stir in vinegar, if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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This soup is so easy and satisfying. I often add curry powder and turmeric to spice up leftovers, too.
If you’re a dunker like me, you’ll love it with grilled cheese/Daiya.
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And if you’re in the Northeast like we are, today is the PERFECT day for soup. We’s got us some snows:
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**You may want to look for Tetra Paks of crushed tomatoes since it’s been reported that the lining of the tomato cans contain BPA. I believe Trader Joe’s carries Tetra Paks of crushed tomatoes.
Orzo Lentil Pilaf with Feta
September 2nd, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Hello! I hope you’re well. If you’re on the East Coast, the good news is that today looks to be the last day of the insane heat wave. Yay!
The bad news is that a hurricane named Earl is on his way to visit. Boo 
I don’t know about you, but when I hear the name Earl, I picture a big, hairy, unshaven man wearing a wifebeater* and smoking a cigar. And he’s a cartoon character. Regardless, what I picture is a badass. And from what I’ve been reading, this hurricane is aptly named. If you’re planning to vacation on the Cape over Labor Day weekend, I would say that you should probably rethink your plans. Please be safe.
In happier news, two nights ago I made another Vegetarian Times 5-ingredient pasta dish for dinner. And we loved it! Even though it was steaming hot outside, I wanted this for dinner. Next time I will make it into a 6 or seven ingredient dinner by adding spinach and fresh tomatoes. (I added fresh tomatoes to our leftovers for lunch yesterday and it was perfect for our picnic, even at room temperature.) I can only imagine how much better it will be on a chilly fall evening. It’s a real comfort food dish.
Orzo Lentil Pilaf with Feta
Serves 4|30 minutes or fewer
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 medium red onion, finely chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1 1/2 cups cooked brown lentils, or 1 15-oz. can lentils, rinsed and drained
6 oz. dry orzo pasta (3/4 cup)
1/2 cup crumbled low-fat feta cheese [I used full-fat feta]
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and saute 5 minutes, or until softened. Stir in lentils, orzo, and 11/2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cover, and cook 10 to 12 minutes, or until orzo is tender, and all water is absorbed. Divide among serving bowls, and sprinkle each serving with 2 Tbs. feta.
Per 1-cup serving: 326 Cal; 17 G Prot; 6 G Total Fat (2 G Sat Fat); 53 G Carb; 7 MG Chol; 426 MG Sod; 8 G Fiber; 6 G Sugars
As I mentioned, I’ll add some chiffonade spinach, or maybe even chard, to this dish the next time I make it. I’ll stir it in at the end so it wilts a bit. I probably won’t add the fresh tomatoes in the fall only because there AREN’T ANY fresh tomatoes in the fall. Another boo
And the final boo in this post is for the lack of a picture. I totally forgot to take a picture of the pilaf. Sorry!
But here’s a funny picture of Peter and his cousin Ethan eating bananas:
This Sh*t is Bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S
Maybe it’s just funny to me. I don’t know. It’s all I’ve got.
Again, please BE SAFE these next few days.
*I hope you’re not offended by the term “wifebeater.” I don’t know what else to call the white tank top that bad, mean men stereotypically wear.
