Well, this recipe started with us buying a soup mix (for a rather premium amount). After getting tired of paying that amount for a piddling bit of food (IMHO) and looking at the ingredient list, I decided that I would attempt to make the mix on my own. After starting with their list of about 4 ingredients, I fiddled with it until I got something that we all liked. I will state that we like to eat spicier foods. While this is not overly spicy hot (Med. G would not eat it if it was too hot), it does have a bit of a bit to it. For those who want it more mild, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper (a little goes a LONG way).
So here it what we came up with (and will now start making already bagged up "kits" for our own ease - they I do not have to drag out half the spices in the pantry each time, lol) - remember, though, I am making "kits" for us so all I have to do is add water - thus all the dry spices. You could easily use fresh:
Melisa's Lentil Soup
6 Cups of water
1/2 C of dry rice
3/4 C of red lentils (although, I suppose any color would work!)
1 TBS dried onion (if you have fresh on hand, absolutely use that)
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp basil
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Put into a pan, bring to a boil, reduce heat, simmer for about 45 min. Dinner is served. You can do this in the crockpot as well, but allow about 6 hours for it to cook. I have made it like that numerous times. Kind of nice to dump it all in a crockpot and not have to worry about it until you are ready for dinner.
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On a side note, I also cook extra rice (for texture and to make the soup go further). Usually 1 C dry rice/2 C of water. AND I also use cut up bites of chicken in it much of the time. The chicken is absolutely NOT needed, but something I sometimes want.
Gary and I like to put shredded cheese, sour cream and a tiny bit of hot sauce in our bowls as well. The children prefer to eat theirs plain.
Thanks! I ran across this today and I had 5 minutes free and chicken in the fridge that Had to be cooked. I omitted two spices and used barley in place of lentils, it's what I had on hand. I came home with some trepidation from a freezing cold socced field to the Best soup, with cheese it was especially tasty! Wish I had some nice warm bread but it wasnplenty filling without
yum!
Thank you for letting me know - I am going to have to give that one a try! I was thinking those would almost have to be the ones left out for the barley to stand out with it's flavor. It would be good, too, with a bit of beef or chicken broth added.
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• Oct. 12, 2009 - Soup for A cold night
yum!