In my experience, there are two kinds of people in this world; those who would practically kill for a steaming bowl of lentil soup and those who turn up their noses and head to McDonalds. Essau sold his birthright for a bowl of lentils. What does that tell you?
I was a wannabe hippie, just starting college back in 1972 when I made my first pot of lentil soup. It seemed like a good hippie kind of thing to do. I followed a recipe in those days, but now that I’m an old hippie, I never make it the same way twice. Here is the basic starting point if you’re just beginning to cook, or thinking of becoming a hippie. Ideas for making it your own are at the bottom of the post.
Jacob’s bowl of lentils
1 pound lentils, washed
10 cups water
1/4 cup olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 large potato, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper, or to taste
1 package (10 ounces) fresh spinach, stems discarded and leaves chopped, or 1 package (10 ounces) chopped, frozen spinach, thawed
Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1 tablespoon)
Grated Parmesan cheese, minced celery tops (optional)
In large kettle, bring to boil lentils, water, oil, onions, carrots, celery, potato, garlic, and pepper. Simmer 40 minutes, or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally. Add spinach and salt to taste. Cover and simmer for thirty more minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in lemon juice. (If soup becomes too think, add a little boiling water.) Serve in warm soup bowls. Sprinkle with cheese and celery tops, if desired. Makes 10 cups, or about 8 servings.
THE LAST COURSE:
Change it up with these suggestions, or come up with your own
- 1/2 to 1 cup chopped, canned Italian tomatoes
- 1 cup cooked small pasta, such as ditalini
- 1 cup chopped fennel
- Sliced smoked turkey sausage
- Tiny meatballs (ground lamb – yum)
- Cook soup in ham broth
- Try bay leaves, or oregano, chopped fresh mint, curry powder
* Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and lentil stew. Esau ate the meal, then got up and left. He showed contempt for his rights as the firstborn. Genesis 25:34
