Vegetarian Blog for the Lazy

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 4-inch piece celery stalk, finely chopped
• 4-inch piece carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon mustard seed
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• 2 cups vegetable stock or vegetarian faux-chicken flavored stock
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup French green lentils, picked over, rinsed, then drained
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, cut into strips
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• optional- add feta cheese & cucumber

Directions:

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and carrot and saute until the vegetables are soft. Add the garlic, mustard seed and fennel seed and saute until the spices are fragrant, about 1 minute.

Add the stock, water, lentils, thyme and bay leaf. Raise the heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially and simmer until the lentils are tender but still firm, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain the lentils, reserving the cooking liquid. Transfer the lentils to a large bowl and discard the bay leaf.

In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, mustard and 1/4 cup of the reserved cooking liquid. (Discard any remaining liquid or reserve for another use.) Whisk in the extra-virgin olive oil.

Add the vinaigrette, parsley, salt and pepper to the lentils and toss gently to mix and coat evenly. Serve cold or warm.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed
• 2 large carrots, chopped
• 2 small celery stalks, chopped
• 1 medium turnip, chopped
• 2 cups green beans, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 1/4 head cabbage, chopped
• 2 small russet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or even better a few sprigs of fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained
• 6 cups vegetable broth ( I like the Better Than Bouillon vegetable base)
• Fresh Parmesan cheese to taste

In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until nearly translucent, then add the garlic. Don’t let the garlic brown and saute another couple of minutes.

Add the rest of the chopped veggies, sauteing for just a minute or two; the extra tablespoon of olive oil is if you need it for the rest of the veggies. Remember you’re not cooking them, just sauteing them for the wonderful flavor this quick step will infuse in your soup. Add the thyme and salt and pepper while sauteing.

Now add the tomatoes and broth and cook on low until flavors mature together and potatoes soften. Serve with a fresh grating of Parmesan cheese and a crusty bread.

Serves 6 as entree, 1o as side course