Lentil Soup (update included)

When I am home sick, I always make some warm and tasty comfort food. My fave when sick is soup. I wasn't all about the meat today so Lentil Soup was the choice. High protein, high fiber and oh so yummy!  My version is very good for you and great for keeping those new year resolutions.

Ingredients:
One pound bag if lentils, your choice of colors, I had green, washed and sorted
One stalk of celery, an inner stalk with leaves is best, diced
One peeled carrot or 6 baby carrots, diced
Half of a small red onion, diced
1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
1 carton of low sodium chicken broth
3 cups of water
1-2 teaspoons of Seasoned Salt
5 turns of fresh cracked pepper

In a large sauce pan or soup pot, melt the butter on medium to medium-high heat until bubbly. Add diced carrots.  Stir and cook for 2 minutes. Add the diced celery, cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add the diced onion, cook and stir for 2 minutes. Watch that your veggies don't burn. 

Add chicken stock to deglaze the pan and get all if that yumminess off of the bottom and stir. Add your water. Cook the veggies in the stock for 5 minutes or so stirring occasionally. Add your washed lentils and stir. Add Seasoned Salt and pepper and stir. 

Cover with a tilted lid and cook for 25-30 minutes, stir occasionally.  I went for the 30 because I like my lentils a little sifter. If you like them a bit more Al dente, cook them 25. Serve hot with Bountiful Beer Bread if you like. Enjoy!!

Update:  oh my this is so good the next day!  I added a handful of kale to the portion I reheated and wow is that yummy!  A drizzle of Roasted Garlic Infised Oil (just a teaspoon or so) makes the flavor so much better. Try it!!

Split Pea Soup

I love the fall and this is one of my favorite things to take that is warm, filling and pretty good for you.  Your tastebuds will be happy, happy. 

Ingredients:

1 bag of green split peas, rinsed and drained

3 baby carrots, minced

1 stalk of celery, minced

1-2 tbsp Onion Onion

1 tbsp Garlic Pepper Seasoning

1 tsp Seasoned Salt

2-4 turns of a black pepper grinder

1 pkg of ham cubes, rinsed and drained 

8 cups of water

Add all ingredients to a large soup pot. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1.5 hours or until the peas are soft and the broth is thickened some. For a thicker soup, add a slightly cooled cup of the soup mixture to a blender and blend until smooth. Add back to the soup and cook until thickened. Serve with  Bountiful Beer Bread or crackers. 

Easy Chicken Soup

Hubby was feeling under the weather and didn't want canned, condensed soup, so i made him some homemade.  It doesn't require much work and is good on the tummy.

Ingredients:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed small
3 cartons of chicken broth (I used 2 reduced sodium and one regular)
Bag of dried egg noodles

In a soup, stock pot or dutch oven, bring the broth to a boil.  Add chicken cubes and cook until they float.  Once they have floated, add half or so of the noodles.  Add more if you want more.   Cook and stir for approximately 9-10 minutes.  Serve with saltines or oyster crackers.

Serves many!  Freeze what you don't eat now.  Easy weeknight dinner!