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!

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.

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.

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.

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?