Vegetarian Start to 2013

On a veggie kick for the new year.  First stop-- Sprouts for massive amount of produce with absolutely no recipes in mind-- check.   Next--- browsing online for palatable veggie recipes.  There are lots of them out there, evidently.   Also trying to incorporate more forms of grain into our daily diets like barley, quinoa, etc.  For the this month, we are trying to be pescatarians and possibly gluten-free (but more just avoid processed carbs). 

First recipe of the new year:  Lentil soup!  With what we had on hand,  I basically used Alton Brown's recipe as a base with some input from the Barefoot Contessa's recipe, and then added more garlic as obviously garlic is delicious in everything and a shogun splash of kale for some bright green-ness.   This soup is delicious and filling. Would definitely make it again

Lentil Soup
-- based off Alton Brown and Ina Garten

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 inely chopped onion
• 1/2 cup finely chopped carrot
• 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 pound lentils, picked and rinsed
• 1 cup peeled and chopped tomatoes (I used 1/2 of 28 oz can of tomatoes)
• 2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3-4 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar or red wine
• handful of kale

Directions

1. Place the olive oil into a large Dutch oven and set over medium heat. 

2. Once hot, add the onion, carrot, celery and salt and sweat until the onions are translucent, approximately 6 to 7 minutes.  

3. Add spices and garlic, cook until fragrant ~about 2 mins.  

4. Add the lentils, tomatoes, broth and and stir to combine. Increase the heat to high and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook at a low simmer until the lentils are tender, approximately 35 to 40 minutes. Using a stick blender, puree to your preferred consistency. 

5. Add red wine vinegar and kale, cook until kale is wilted and softened.  Serve immediately.