Warm tummy

It's been unusually rainy and could here in southern California, and I'm trying to be thorough about using the food I have before I make another big trip to the store. So, we've been eating a lot of soup. Nothing else can quite give you that same toasty-from-the inside feeling, can it?

One of my favorite restaurants is a Lebanese place. We go there so often we are now good friends with the owner, and he was kind enough to share his secret to their delicious lentil soup. Well, okay, he didn't so much share the recipe as he said it's a matter of putting some onions and lentils in a pot, boiling them, and adding lemon juice. Turns out that's actually about all there is to it. If only the garlic sauce he serves was so easy to reproduce!

Mediterranean Lentil Soup ($5.20)

3 tablespoons oil
1/2 yellow onion ($.50)
1 tablespoon minced garlic ($.10)
1 lb red lentils ($1)
3 cups chicken broth ($3, or free if you make your own)
3 cups water
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 cup lemon juice ($.50)
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley ($.10)

Saute the garlic and onion in oil over medium high heat until onions are getting tender. Add the lentils, chicken broth, water, cumin, lemon juice, and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer until lentils soften and come apart. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle parsley on the top.

Comments

[oakley sunglass]

After several defeats, they then start are not complained that this world is unfair, is suspected that their ability, they are not do not hesitate all prices to pursue successfully, but repeatedly lowers the successful standard

[Amy]

Yikes, I should have written that down. I'm guessing around 10-15 minutes. You will know it when you see it. They go from being round and lentil-looking to squishy and disintegrated. Boy, that sounds appetizing, doesn't it. :)

[Miranda]

Looks good! For a lentil soup novice like me...about how long does it take for lentils to open up? (I know you have to build rapport and trust first, especially with the shy ones...) I've tried making things with dried beans before, soaking them and simmering them, and it was like a marathon. Lentils must be quicker?