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December 31, 2018This is about...
NEW YEAR'S LUCKY LENTIL SOUP!
NEW YEAR'S LUCKY LENTIL SOUP!
MY GRANDMOTHER ALWAYS MADE LENTIL SOUP ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.
And even though she was one of the best cooks I have ever known,
THIS IS THE ONE RECIPE OF HERS THAT I WOULD NEVER PASS DOWN TO ANYONE.
Back when I was growing up, the first day of the year was always reserved for dinner at my grandparent's house. And without fail, along with the ham, mashed potatoes, gravy and homemade rolls, there would be lentil soup on the table. Unlike all of the other delicious food spread out in front of everyone, the lentil soup was not a pretty sight. In fact, it was a thick gray paste, and for all of her grandchildren, A DREADED PART OF THE MEAL. Because you see, It was NOT optional. Everyone had to eat some of it. For, IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S EYES, IT REPRESENTED GOOD LUCK AND HEALTH IN THE NEW YEAR.
I was never quite sure how this scary mush would make anything better, let alone the next 12 months. BUT IT DIDN'T MATTER, WE HAD TO EAT IT. The only redeeming value was that she put sliced mini hotdogs into the soup, which were easy to fish out and softened the blow of the lentils.
NOW DON'T WORRY, I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU THAT RECIPE. But, if lentils are lucky, then it can't hurt to welcome the New Year in with a steamy, tasty bowl.
But, INSTEAD OF MUSHY BROWN LENTILS, I'VE MADE IT WITH one of its close relatives. They're called FRENCH LENTILS OR LE PUY LENTILS. These guys are smaller, green, and keep their shape because they're way less starchy than their larger counterparts. And, they're still fiber-rich and great for keeping your cholesterol in check.
It's an easy, one pot wonder too. A plus for all of us, because who wants to ring in the New Year with a bunch of stress? Just chop up some veggies, add some herbs, the lentils and broth, and 40-45 minutes later it's done. Use vegetable stock and it's vegan. All you need to do is add some crusty bread and butter on the side, and you've got A HEALTHY WAY TO RING IN 2019.
Wish my grandmother had known about these lentils when I was growing up. I might have eaten more than the hotdogs.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
LESSONS Learned:
1. The hardest part of this recipe is finding the French green lentils. But most supermarkets and health food stores will carry them. There's always online too.
2. You can sub in the regular brown lentils, but it just won't be the same.
3. Make sure to pick through the lentils, you may find a few small stones or twigs.
4. Since you only need 2 Tablespoons of tomato paste, buy it in a tube.
5. This recipe is easily doubled, the extra can be frozen for a quick winter meal.
6. Don't eat my grandmother's lentil soup!
NEW YEAR'S LUCKY LENTIL SOUP
Ingredients:
2 cups French green lentils, picked through and rinsed
1 large plus 1 medium yellow onion, small dice, about 3 1/2 cups
2 Tablespoons minced garlic, about 4 large cloves
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 taeaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2-3 large ribs of celery, small dice, about 1 1/2 cups
4 medium carrots, small dice, about 1 1/2
1 1/2 quarts ( 6 cups) low sodium chicken or vegetable stock
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 Tablespoon red wine or red wine vinegar, optional
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top, optional
Make the soup:
In a large heavy pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onions, garlic, salt and pepper and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, celery, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin and continue to cook until the vegetables are softened, about 10 more minutes.
Stir in the lentils, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil and turn down to a simmer. Cook uncovered for about 1 hour, until the lentils are tender. Taste to see if you need more salt or pepper. the seasonings. Stir in the red wine or red wine vinegar. Serve, sprinkled with some grated Parmesan, if desired.
Makes 6-8 servings. YUM!
Back when I was growing up, the first day of the year was always reserved for dinner at my grandparent's house. And without fail, along with the ham, mashed potatoes, gravy and homemade rolls, there would be lentil soup on the table. Unlike all of the other delicious food spread out in front of everyone, the lentil soup was not a pretty sight. In fact, it was a thick gray paste, and for all of her grandchildren, A DREADED PART OF THE MEAL. Because you see, It was NOT optional. Everyone had to eat some of it. For, IN MY GRANDMOTHER'S EYES, IT REPRESENTED GOOD LUCK AND HEALTH IN THE NEW YEAR.
I was never quite sure how this scary mush would make anything better, let alone the next 12 months. BUT IT DIDN'T MATTER, WE HAD TO EAT IT. The only redeeming value was that she put sliced mini hotdogs into the soup, which were easy to fish out and softened the blow of the lentils.
NOW DON'T WORRY, I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE YOU THAT RECIPE. But, if lentils are lucky, then it can't hurt to welcome the New Year in with a steamy, tasty bowl.
But, INSTEAD OF MUSHY BROWN LENTILS, I'VE MADE IT WITH one of its close relatives. They're called FRENCH LENTILS OR LE PUY LENTILS. These guys are smaller, green, and keep their shape because they're way less starchy than their larger counterparts. And, they're still fiber-rich and great for keeping your cholesterol in check.
It's an easy, one pot wonder too. A plus for all of us, because who wants to ring in the New Year with a bunch of stress? Just chop up some veggies, add some herbs, the lentils and broth, and 40-45 minutes later it's done. Use vegetable stock and it's vegan. All you need to do is add some crusty bread and butter on the side, and you've got A HEALTHY WAY TO RING IN 2019.
Wish my grandmother had known about these lentils when I was growing up. I might have eaten more than the hotdogs.
LESSONS Learned:
1. The hardest part of this recipe is finding the French green lentils. But most supermarkets and health food stores will carry them. There's always online too.
2. You can sub in the regular brown lentils, but it just won't be the same.
3. Make sure to pick through the lentils, you may find a few small stones or twigs.
4. Since you only need 2 Tablespoons of tomato paste, buy it in a tube.
5. This recipe is easily doubled, the extra can be frozen for a quick winter meal.
6. Don't eat my grandmother's lentil soup!
Ingredients:
2 cups French green lentils, picked through and rinsed
1 large plus 1 medium yellow onion, small dice, about 3 1/2 cups
2 Tablespoons minced garlic, about 4 large cloves
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 taeaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2-3 large ribs of celery, small dice, about 1 1/2 cups
4 medium carrots, small dice, about 1 1/2
1 1/2 quarts ( 6 cups) low sodium chicken or vegetable stock
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 Tablespoon red wine or red wine vinegar, optional
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top, optional
Make the soup:
In a large heavy pot over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onions, garlic, salt and pepper and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, celery, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin and continue to cook until the vegetables are softened, about 10 more minutes.
Stir in the lentils, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Bring to a boil and turn down to a simmer. Cook uncovered for about 1 hour, until the lentils are tender. Taste to see if you need more salt or pepper. the seasonings. Stir in the red wine or red wine vinegar. Serve, sprinkled with some grated Parmesan, if desired.
Makes 6-8 servings. YUM!