Domestic Destination: Toss the Ramen, make some soup
Winters in Logan make you want to cocoon yourself in your apartment till spring comes and then you are able to finally thaw out. But with the amazing snow we get here it’s hard to stay in and have fun.
Every one needs a way to warm up if they aren’t married so don’t reach for the Top Ramen and make some soup, that doesn’t come in a can instead.
Soup not only warms your bones during the cold months but makes you feel good if you are sick. This recipe especially makes you feel good because it contains lentils and lentils contain lysine.
What is lysine? It is an essential amino acid that according to www.nutritiontree.com “is necessary for certain body functions and manufacturing body proteins and aids in calcium absorption and in collagen formation.” It also helps create antibodies to help your body fight infection.
Basically eating this soup will give you super powers to over come that ridiculous cold that the Death and Wellness Center told you would go away two months ago. Actually, that’s a lie but believe it if you want, it is still good for you.
This is a fool proof recipe I found in The New York Times Dining In section. I have made this Lentil soup many a time to heal my roommate from sickness or to impress boys with my magic like cooking skills, and yes the rumors are true, I can create unicorns and rainbows out of cup cake batter.
I’ve made some adjustments to the recipe, to give it a bolder flavor. If you don’t have cumin and you don’t want to go out and buy it, the soup will still taste good without it, but cumin does add a curry type flavor that makes the soup.
If tomato paste isn’t available, use a bit of your roommates tomato sauce that has been siting in the fridge for a month he/she will have no idea it is missing, but then invite them to have some soup, it’s the least you could do.
Add a grilled cheese sandwich or some Crumb Brothers bread to top this soup off and you will have just dominated, once again.
What you will need:
3 tablespoons olive oil, more for drizzling
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, pinch of chili powder or cayenne
1/4 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s original Creole Seasoning
1 quart chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups water
1 cup red lentils
2–3 large carrots, diced
Juice of 1/2 lemon, more to taste
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
– In a large pot heat the olive oil, add onion and garlic, sauté until golden.
– Add tomato paste, cumin, salt, black pepper, chili powder (if you are using it) and Tony Chachere’s. Sauté till combined
– Add chicken broth, two cups water, lentils and carrots. Bring to a simmer then turn down to medium-low heat while partially covered for 30 minutes.
– Take half the soup and puree in a food processor or blender and add it back to the pot, try to take mostly the broth and lentils, leaving the the chunkier parts for texture.
– If you need to, reheat the soup.
– Stir in lemon juice and cilantro.
C.Ann realizes that the cold months are upon us in Logan which means more homemade soups and snuggling up with someone are essential. For questions or comments concerning the science of combining the two mentioned winter options in Logan, e-mail her at ch.jensen@aggiemail.usu.edu.