March 15, 2007
Even If You Don't Like Lentils Easy Lentil Soup
So you don't like lentils.
I didn't think I did, either.
For one thing, I was buying those sludgy olive gray ones. Ew. Plus, I have tasted a few misguided attempts at lentils-as-meat-replacement. There are many reasons to think you hate lentils.
May I encourage you to try them again? Just one more time. If you still hate them, you may officially say you hate them.
First, skip the sludgy gray green ones. Buy some "red" lentils. I find them in the international section at Meijer. They're a light reddish-orange color.
Second, don't try to make a lentil loaf. And if you don't like international food, don't go overboard on the international flavors. Our friends from Sri Lanka made us some excellent spicy dahl (which happens to mean "lentil" I believe) and I've even made some myself, but it's okay to tone it down. The Grand Lunar isn't fond of middle eastern and Indian flavors, but even he liked this soup.
Ready? Don't be scared. It's easy and good, and not too strong on the eastern flavors.
Even If You Don't Like Lentils Easy Lentil Soup
1 cup red lentils, rinsed
1 cup rice ~ you can use white rice or brown rice
6 cups water
2-4 cloves garlic, or garlic powder to taste
~1/2 cup chopped onions. I've used both sliced green onions and dried onion flakes with success
1/2 tsp. cumin - this is a very tiny amount
1/4 tsp. turmeric - this is even smaller, but makes it such a pretty yellow
1/4 tsp. paprika - again, very little
2 T. chicken bullion (equivalent to making 6 cups of stock)
that's it. bring to a boil and simmer ~20 minutes OR let it sit in the crockpot for 2-3 hours on high or 6 hours on low. It seems to be pretty flexible. If you do it on the stove, you may need to add a little more water as it cooks.
The lentils don't hold together in their lentil shape, they sort of become one with the soup, making it thick. The taste is like a very mild curry, but it's so mild you should try it even if you don't like curry. Seriously. And if you DO like curry, go ahead and add a lot more of the spices, to taste. Add some hot pepper flakes if you like it hot. But you don't have to, it's simple and good just the way it's written.
Oh, and in other news, here's how far I am in the first sock.
You can see I completed the heel flap, the heel gusset decreases, and am working on the "foot" part heading towards the toe. I only hope it fits me, and not someone else, when I'm done. But that sounds kind of selfish.
Posted by Kim at March 15, 2007 7:01 PM
Kim!! Guess what I am making tomorrow?? Three guesses...
THIS! You are just so cool, ya know? Hee hee heee! Putting up a recipe like this when I wanted one that was different and yummy that had lentils in it. And, I have the pretty red lentils, too. I have a couple of different colors. Do you know if I can use Jasmine rice in this? I am so excited to try something new tomorrow. :) Biiiiig yipeeee! Thank you dahling, thank you veddy much. (must insert accent there to get the right effect)
LOVE your sock that you are making. That shade of green is mighty pretty.
Have a wonderful rest of your Thursday, Hugs, Robin
Posted by: Robin at March 15, 2007 8:47 PMI hate lentils! so I am going to try your soup. :o) thanks for the recipe (and the encouragement!)
Posted by: kelly at March 15, 2007 9:01 PMi'm scared of cumin and tumeric...
but it does sound awfully good though.
your sock looks great, love the color. =)
Posted by: staci at March 15, 2007 10:18 PMAnd if you like lentils like I do you'll be in heaven! P.S. Love that green, it's a beautiful color.
Posted by: Michelle at March 16, 2007 2:10 AMHow many did this feed, Kim? Trying to figure out how much to make for us three without leftovers...
Thanks!
Posted by: Robin at March 16, 2007 2:06 PMNeat sock! I can't knit, I've tried and it was very scary. I found this Sock Monkey hat and thought of you. I thought it was cute for cold kids in the winter.
http://www.knitty.com/issuesummer06/PATTsockmonkey.html
My ds is allergic to beans and split peas, so we stir clear of lentils. (The bean allergy only developed recently) He swells up and his voice gets all helium sounding. Enjoy your soup though. :-)
Posted by: Shari at March 16, 2007 5:20 PMWell, I know I'm not going to make your recipe. LOL
My eating habits/tastes are far different from what you've been posting recently.
You are going great on your knitting!!! cute, BRIGHT sock!
Posted by: Chris at March 16, 2007 8:05 PMI made it! Pic on my blog. Big success. Next time we'll add more paprika and cumin, though, as we didn't add enough. :)
Thanks again!
Posted by: Robin at March 16, 2007 9:00 PMAnd, for all the lentil-doubters, look how much good stuff they are packed with! This is for one full cup.
_______________________________
Calories 229.7
Total Fat 0.8 g
Saturated Fat 0.1 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3 g
Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
Cholesterol 0.0 mg
Sodium 4.0 mg
Potassium 730.6 mg
Total Carbohydrate 39.9 g
Dietary Fiber 15.6 g
Protein 17.9 g
Vitamin A 0.3 %
Vitamin B-12 0.0 %
Vitamin B-6 17.6 %
Vitamin C 5.0 %
Vitamin E 1.1 %
Calcium 3.8 %
Copper 24.8 %
Folate 89.6 %
Iron 36.6 %
Magnesium 17.8 %
Manganese 48.9 %
Niacin 10.5 %
Pantothenic Acid 12.6 %
Phosphorus 35.6 %
Riboflavin 8.5 %
Selenium 7.9 %
Thiamin 22.3 %
Zinc 16.8 %
Boy I sure hogged up some space, huh? LOL
Posted by: Robin at March 16, 2007 9:09 PMI am SOOOOOOOO impressed with your knitting progress. Woweee! That is great! I know lots of veteran knitters who are still terrified by socks. You are doing really great!
Posted by: BusyHSmom at March 17, 2007 12:03 AMI made the lentil soup and it was delicious! Really yummy! Thank you.
Posted by: Eowyn at March 21, 2007 1:40 PM
