Lentil and Macaroni Soup

Hey y'all - I'm back! Did you miss my weeklong hiatus? Oh, you didn't notice. Eh, it's ok I know you have a life to lead. I was in sunny Louisville for a work conference. Anyway, I'm back and excited to share this great pantry meal that I whipped up last night.

I want to weigh in on the current controversy the New York Times whipped up regarding ghost writers on celebrity chefs. The short of it is a woman reports that she is among an army of ghost writers who help bring cookbooks to print. This ruffled some feathers; most notably Gwyneth Paltrow and Rachel Ray who enthusiastically deny the use of a ghost writer to help develop recipes. I'd like to say that I've always assumed that Rachel Ray had help bringing her thousands of recipes to print. I'm confused at the denials. Am I alone here people?

Alright back to the soup. Speaking of ghost writers I used Giada deLaurentiis. Well actually, I used her lentil soup recipe as a starting point for mine. I glanced over her recipe and pulled together my soup based on what I had on hand and dumped in some additional as I felt like it. It was delicious!

It was a perfect soup for a drizzly and chilly day. I also adore ditalini pasta in soup because it reminds me of my childhood. Also, I had all of the items in my pantry or crisper in the fridge. It was so good Joel had two bowls!

Lentil Soup
Yields 5-6 servings

Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 carrots, diced
2 medium onions, diced
3/4 lb dried lentils
14 oz. diced tomatoes
2/3 cup dried pasta (I used ditalini but elbow macaroni would work here too)
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
pinch red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
2 bay leafs
10-12 cups chicken stock or water

grated parmesan

Directions

Heat large soup pot over medium heat and add olive oil, carrots, and onions and sauté until softened. If you have celery that would be an excellent addition. Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Toss lentils in mixture for a few minutes then add tomatoes including juices. Add remaining spices and toss for a minute. Add stock or water and bring mixture to a simmer. Cook for 25 minutes. Add pasta and cook for additional 10 minutes. Lentils and pasta should be cooked through.

Top soup grated parmesan to taste.

Enjoy!

New fabric & bbq weekend

Very happy Monday, no really, happy Monday!! Let me just say the weekend was amazing; I felt like it was mid-June rather than mid-March. I told Joel that we should move to Virginia or south generally to enjoy this type of weather every year. A lot of time was spent outside and we even got in a BBQ, northern style (read: grilling) and not southern style.

I also wanted to update you all on fabrics that I recently bought. If you remember I am interested in taking up quilting. I hope to take a local class in the coming weeks and so in preparation I sought out some inspiration fabrics and came across a wonderful seller on Etsy, Dreamy Vintage Sheets, and found some gorgeous and affordable vintage sheets. Check 'em out.

That stack is so inspiring! I can't wait to get using them.

I adore this pack. I think I will use these in my first quilt. Since the class will be throughout the spring I feel this patriotic bunch would make a beautiful summery quilt for picnics and snuggling under the stars. Don't you agree? 

Don't you love how I led you to a yes? It's a skill people. 

These are just the sweetest! I have no idea what I will do with these but I have the most darling niece so who knows.

I love the fun and whimsy of this group.

Last but not least is this little foursome. True story about this group - I didn't order them. The seller threw them in! This leads me to a note on this seller she was very quick, threw in an extra little bundle, and refunded me unneeded shipping costs. Clearly, I will be using her again and I would recommend you check her out.

Also, the fabrics are all fat quarters minus the last group (I think they may be a little bit smaller. People, I'm learning quilting jargon. If you aren't sure what a FQ is let me explain with my very limited understanding, it's essentially the cut of the fabric, 18'' x 22'', that allows the maximum usage of the fabric.

How did I do?

In other news I wanted to show you some pictures I snapped over the weekend. This weather inspired me to purchase some spring-time flowers from the grocery store. Also, we got in a picnic and the local park looked a little bit other-worldly.

Although I am sad to see how low the lake is that drift wood was calling my name. I've seen some fabulous DIY crafts that would just be darling for summer. It feels like summer is just around the corner. Of course it is still March in Central New York so that means snow is not out of the question. But for now, I'm enjoying and soaking up this beautiful and crazy weekend.

Your turn: what did you do over the weekend? Are you as energized for the week as I am, or am I nuts? Scratch that; no need to answer that last question.

Black Bean Burgers

Black bean burgers are the best.

I like alliteration.  Let me try another one.

Bountiful black bean burgers bring bragging rights. 

Umm I lost it there at the end. 

Black bean burgers beg to be bitten. 

Well, it turns out a sentence starting only with b's is more difficult than I thought. Moving on. 

With the absolutely beeeautiful weather I've been thinking about going to a park and grilling out this weekend. In March. Is this what it feels like to live in the south? March is the start of spring from a mild winter with little to no snow? Not the normal, I wonder how many more snow storms we need to endure this month and maybe into April....I think I need to move. 

These burgers could not be easier or more delicious. I added spices I like but really this is meant to be played around with and various combinations would be delightful. I know I will continue try out different flavors. 

Check out what I started with. 

One can of black beans, one egg, a medium onion, whole wheat bread crumbs, (shy) paprika, cumin, italian seasoning, chili powder, garlic powder, and hot sauce.

Basically I dump them all together and mix. Easy, no?

I had a peanut butter top handy and used it to form the burgers evenly.

Heat through - no biggie. These were good on the stove top but I am imagining how awesome they would be on a grill. mmmm.

Toss together with a toasted bun and some lettuce. Not shown is the ketchup that I topped my burger with, naturally. 

So is anyone planning on firing up the grill this weekend? How about considering moving south to be treated with early springs forever? 

Black Bean Burgers

Yield 4 burgers

Ingredients

1 can black beans

1 medium onion, diced

1 egg

1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

1 teaspoon cumin 

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning

3-4 shakes hot sauce

Directions

In a medium bowl lightly whisk egg. Add drained black beans. Using a potato masher or fork break up black beans and combine into egg. Add finely diced onion, bread crumbs, and spices. Mix with hands to evenly distribute ingredients. 

Form into evenly sized burgers. Saute on stove top over medium heat in pan sprayed with non stick cooking spray or on a grill about 7 minutes each side. 

Serve on a toasted bun. 

Enjoy!