Ugly Lentil Soup

It’s cold and blustery outside, which always puts me in the mood for soup. I didn’t have a particular soup in mind so I took a quick inventory of my freezer, fridge, and pantry. I had plenty of homemade chicken stock in the freezer, dried lentils in the pantry, and kielbasa and carrots in the fridge. An hour later we were sitting down to a hearty bowl of liquid love. It certainly wasn’t the most attractive soup out there, but what it lacked in looks, it more than made up in flavor!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• my go-to 6-quart stockpot https://amzn.to/2Q4Ev4d

• the very best vegetable peeler ever! https://amzn.to/2E0qoq9

• santoku knife https://amzn.to/2SgB86I

• my favorite soup ladle https://amzn.to/3uEB4UT

• dried French lentils https://amzn.to/3oF6mXU

---

Ugly Lentil and Vegetable Soup

makes 6 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil

• 1 medium onion, 1/4-inch dice

• 1 medium carrot, 1/4-inch dice

• 1 pound kielbasa, 1/4-inch dice

• 4 cups chicken stock (try my homemade)

• 2 cups water

• 1 1/4 cups dried lentils

• salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, sauté onions and carrots until onions are translucent.

2. Add diced kielbasa and continue sautéing, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.

3. Add chicken stock, water, and dried lentils; bring to a boil, then reduce to a slow simmer and cover for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.

4. If soup is too thick, stir in a little more water; taste carefully and season with salt and pepper if needed.

Roasted Chickpeas with a Kick

Help!  I can't stop eating these things.  I'm not even kidding - they're totally addictive!  Why have I waited so long to try them?   Feel free to increase, decrease, or omit the cayenne to suit your taste.

Start by preheating the oven to 400F.  Rinse and drain the canned chickpeas, then dry them well with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.  Place them o a rimmed half sheet pan and give the pan a shake to spread them out a bit.  Pop in the hot oven for 15 minutes, then give the chickpeas a toss and return to the oven for another 15 minutes.

Time to mix up the flavorings.  Whisk together extra virgin olive oil (a good, fruity one), garlic salt, and cayenne pepper. 

This teeny-tiny whisk makes me happy. 

After the chickpeas have been in the oven for 30 minutes, drizzle the olive oil mixture over them and toss well to coat.  Put them back in the oven for another 15 minutes.  Remove from the oven and cool before crunching and munching on them.   

I’m telling you, make extra because they’re going to disappear fast!  But in the event you should find yourself with leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature.   

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• half sheet pan https://amzn.to/3GvYdek

• extra virgin olive oil https://amzn.to/3ozJFnS

• canned chickpeas / garbanzo beans https://amzn.to/3qWUqEI

---

Roasted Chickpeas with a Kick

makes 2 cups

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and dried

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400F.

2. Dry rinsed chickpeas well and place on a rimmed half sheet pan.

3. Roast in the center of preheated oven for 15 minutes; toss chickpeas and roast another 15 minutes.

4. Combine olive oil, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper; drizzle over chickpeas and return to oven for 15 minutes.

5. Remove from oven and cool completely before serving.

Note

• To make the chickpeas extra crispy, roast them for 15 minutes longer than stated in the recipe (for a grand total of 60 minutes), but watch them carefully so they don't burn.