The One

Posted: September 29, 2011 at 3:12 pm

A few things about a person’s personality can disturb me.

  • rudeness and unnecessary meanness
  • thinking he/she is better than others
  • whining about evvvvvverrrryyyything
  • acting temperamental

One thing that doesn’t bother me? Personification. So, the fact I am currently not speaking with the weather’s sudden temperamental surge of warmth makes perfect sense. It’s just sooo rude. C’mon, weather! I had just bought a new crockpot and everything!

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If I had to pick only one kitchen appliance to use, I would seriously consider making the crockpot my choice. How can it get any better than tossing a bunch of stuff in one pot and allowing it to cook for you? That’s my kind of cooking right there.

Our old el-cheapo crock pot ended up getting cracked in late spring. Peter deterred me from picking up a new one all summer. He knows me too well. I would have busted it out with a recipe for chili mid-July and forced him to profusely sweat through dinner.

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Then last week rolled around. I saw a ton of soup recipes in the two magazine subscriptions I use for recipe inspiration – Cooking Light and Weight Watchers Magazine both always have great, simple, tasty, nutritious recipe ideas. The weather finally got a little chill in the air by evening. I convinced Peter to welcome back Mr. Pot.

Then…Monday rolled around and Miss Weather had to go all Makenzie on me with a temperamental attitude. I just reasoned I wouldn’t be sweating over a stove, so I can sweat while eating soup in 90 degree weather.

Crock pot,

Welcome back. I promise to love you deeply and cherish you forever as long as you help me to not have to cook and keep feeding me delicious soups.

Forever yours,
Tina

I told you I like personification. I also like this soup. Even if it is ugly. Winking smile

Hearty Lentil Soup
This soup will stick to your ribs. The combination of vegetables and protein-packed lentils in this broth based soup will leave you feeling full without being weighed down. You can easily make this soup work for you by subbing in different root vegetables, such as parsnips, or using a different seasoning profile.

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Servings: 8 servings (approximately 1 1/2 cups each)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours in crockpot

Ingredients

  • 1/2 large yellow onion
  • 3 medium sized carrots
  • 1 large sweet potato
  • 2 celery ribs
  • 1 (16 oz) bag lentils
  • 4 cups low sodium vegetable broth
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ginger
  • 1 teaspoon salt (omit if not using low sodium broth)

Peel onion, carrots, and sweet potato. Chop all vegetables into even 1/2” to 1” pieces. Place in crockpot. Rinse, pick over, and drain the lentils. Place in the crockpot. Pour vegetable broth and water over everything. Add spices. Mix with spoon, cover, and cook on low eight hours. You could also cook on high for 4 hours.

Eat it plain or garnish with fresh parsley, a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt, a handful of cheese, or anything else that suits your fancy.

  • Do you use any magazines for recipe ideas? Which ones?
  • If you could only pick one kitchen appliance to have in your house, what would you choose?

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51 Comments to “The One”
  1. I love that it’s almost soup season!!

  2. Karin says:

    Love this time of year. We have a chill in the air to, in California. Just love it! I will try your Lentil soup recipe, looks fabulous. Have you ever used your crockpot to keep mash potatoes warm? It works very well. If I have a dinner party, I will make the mash potatoes in advance (by an hour or so), and keep them warm in the crock.

  3. Maybe because the soup sounds SOOOO incredible, I don’t think it’s ugly at all.

    And I’m totally with you on the ugly personalities you mentioned. Especially unnecessary rudeness. Why do people have to be ugly?

  4. Meg says:

    Don’t you just love how easy soup is in the crockpot? I mean soup in a regular pot is easy, but the crockpot is even easier! Especially since you can leave it on when you’re not home. 😉

  5. I just bought a bag of red lentils – SO making this!!

    • Tina says:

      Hope you like it! And also really hope timing will cooperate tomorrow for me to book it out for a quick grab of coffee. 😉

  6. Oh yeah, I’d totally choose my Crock Pot if I could only choose one! It’s so versatile, simple, easy to clean up, and pops out some delcious meals! Your soup looks yummy.

  7. I love searching magazines for recipes! Southern Living & Cooking Light are two good ones. The crockpot is one of my favs but I don’t know if I could live w/o my small food processor! Maybe I’m just too lazy at dicing up peppers & onions 🙂

  8. I look at Real Simple magazine for a lot of recipe ideas. Most of their recipes are super simple, while still being yummy!

  9. April says:

    Mmm, I am going to bookmark this because it’s still too hot today but by the weekend the lows will be in the 40s (brr, what does that feel like? I forgot!!) so I’ll have to bust it out then! Looks delicious. Have you used your crockpot to make french onion soup? I can’t wait for that either!!

  10. I use cooking light, food and wine shape/ self mag. If i could afford a vitamix it would be that but for now its a food processor and a croc pot

  11. This has been added to my list of soups to make during the fall/winter. I love easy soups like this in the crockpot. What kind of lentils did you use?

  12. Sarah says:

    i love food network magazine….and have gotten random free magazine subscriptions such as women’s day and family circle. they have good recipes! everyday food is another good one. you can always lighten recipes up 🙂

  13. That soup looks delicious! I’m going to try that.
    Most important kitchen app? That would be a close call between my blender and rice cooker. Both of them are used almost daily. I love making smoothies or banana soft serve, and we eat a lot of rice.

  14. Holly says:

    I would TOTALLY choose my kitchenaid mixer. Seriously, that thing is amazing. I don’t really know how to bake things without it know (okay, okay…dramatic…) It just stirs things so much better than my arm and a spoon could…or the handheld mixers, too.

  15. Erica says:

    Haha. Im so with you! Slow cookers are amazingggg!! I use mine year round-totally rocks for pulled meat

  16. I love my crockpot and can’t wait to bust it out this fall.

    Lentil soup is one of my favorite. It’s so hearty and lentils just taste amazing. Thanks for the recipe!

  17. Ahh I love the ole crock pot too! I got one for my birthday this year and didn’t use it until last week, but it’s freaking awesome. Last week I made chili. Today I’m (more like Mr. Pot) is making tacos. Can’t wait to get home tonight and have dinner ready to go!

  18. Hilary says:

    So is that the Cooking Light or WW stew? I just bought the WW one, so just wondering….I subscribe to Food Network Magazine (LOVE), and get ideas/inspiration from there, also from various other magazines that I peruse/purchase from time to time…I also get Self/Shape and use their food ideas sometimes, but not a ton.

    • Tina says:

      It was more just a toss up hodge podge of different things I saw in different soup recipes…but I think mostly from a WW one?? I can’t remember.

  19. Katie says:

    I haven’t broken out my crock pot yet this fall…must change that.

    I couldn’t live without my food processor. I use it daily. And I love Real Simple for recipe ideas!

  20. I could so go for some of this soup right now! Why does my husband have to hate lentils AND sweet potatoes??!!!

  21. I got a crockpot for a wedding present, and 2.5 years later, I STILL have not ever used it!!! I think this year is going to be the year… 🙂

  22. Brittany says:

    LOVE lentil soup! I need my crock pot back in my life, my brother took it!

  23. Smitty says:

    The weather around my location also took a turn for the better, and I’m similarly miffed! In defiance, I think I’ll make this great soup tonight. Thanks for the recipe! 🙂

  24. Lauren says:

    LOVE Lentil soup!! It really does stick to your ribs. Especially in the cold months.

  25. Lee says:

    It’s supposed to get cooler this weekend! I get a lot of recipes from Cooking Light and Real Simple.

  26. I’ve never had lentil soup (of any sort), but I love the ingredients in your recipe-might have to try it out! : ) oh, and I’m all with you on the slow-cooker. That was a genius invention!

  27. Alright, I need a crock pot stat! I don’t know know why I haven’t bought one yet… lentil soup sounds so tasty right now 🙂

  28. I co-sign!! As you know, I just busted out my new crock pot for the first time, too. However, here in Illinois, every day for the past week has been crock pot weather!

  29. Don’t make me pick a favorite! That would be like picking a favorite kid!

  30. I actually tend to use blogs more often than magazines for recipe ideas.. there are so many amazing blogs out there with interesting recipes–it’s changed my foodie life!

  31. When it finally gets cold enough to break out my crock pot, I will be making this. I have about 3 million bags of lentils in my pantry. I always grab a bag thinking I don’t have any and lo and behold I do!

  32. Erin says:

    I know it’s a big one but I would definitely choose my stove, specifically the stove top – I love to saute and create warm meals. Yum!

  33. Dorry says:

    I love lentil soup! It reminds me of my grandmother which makes me so happy. Hmmm – I don’t use a lot of appliances in the kitchen, but my Cuisinart comes in handy for hummus, etc, and I use my magic bullet for smoothies. We have a blender that’s been used maybe twice…

  34. mmm this looks delicious! I love that it’s Fall finally because soup is one of my favorite things to eat. I love crockpots too! It’s little effort and cooks food perfectly haha

  35. Khushboo says:

    “Go all Makenzie on me”—> LOL!

  36. My crockpot & I aren’t on speaking terms. Every time I make something, it turns out like crud. How is it that I can screw up the easiest freaking recipes invented? So sad. I shall try again…

    My best recipe mags: Cooking Light, Clean Eating, Sunset, Real Simple

  37. jobo says:

    LOVE my crockpot! it is just the best and makes such hearty meals that are still low fat. I haven’t tried lentil soup in mine, but now I certainly will!

  38. The soup looks delicious, Tina!! I’m going to have to try it!! Thanks for the recipe!!

  39. My Crockpot (I have the same one as you in red 🙂 ) is my go-to appliance. If I could only choose one, the pot would be it. I have been known to have 3-4 going at one time…

    If I can have 2 appliances, then my super duper Foreman grill with waffle plate, baking dish, and slider pan would be #2. I managed to use these 2 appliances through much of the summer to avoid turning on the stove if at all possible.

  40. Brooke says:

    Love my crockpot & use it all year. So versatile. I do a lot of chicken & pork dishes. Thanks for the recipe, sounds good! Might have to give it a try this weekend! 🙂

  41. AmandaCG says:

    Just finished putting this together!!! Can’t wait to have it tonight!!! Thanks for a GREAT recipe!

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