Hi Housewives!

Happy New Year!  I would like to thank each and every one of you for visiting my website these past few months and am hoping for an even better 2015.  Look out for some great new recipes and I wish you all a Healthy, Happy, Prosperous and Yummy Eating Year!

This recipe today is for lentil soup.  Growing up, I vaguely remember my grandmother making it every New Year’s Day for good luck.  I didn’t like lentils then so I didn’t pay much attention to it.  Naturally, as you grow up your taste buds evolve and suddenly I sort of liked lentil soup.  I did some research and found out that eating lentils on New Year’s is not an uncommon practice in Italy as well as other countries.  Lentils are small, round, coin-like and are symbolic of money.  When you cook them they swell and they are eaten in hopes to bring financial rewards.  A few years back I decided that I would start making my lentils on New Year’s Day as well, just like my grandmother did!  Hey, whatever helps is my motto. LOL. And if eating some lentils on New Year’s Day would help along a good year than why not?  Plus, I love the idea of passing on traditions and creating your own and this is the time of year when traditions are abundant.

This soup is easy and can be made anytime of year.  I sometimes let it slow cook on a Sunday and refrigerate it for Monday nights meal because I have absolutely no time to do all this chopping in the morning when I have to be at work.  If you cook it the night before it will get really thick so you may need to add more water or broth to have it the consistency you prefer when you reheat it.

I have a few variations of this soup but this is my favorite.  If you are Vegan, you can omit the kielbasa and still have a tasty soup.  So, as always, feel free to make your adjustments and let me know what you do and how it comes out!

• 1 bag of lentils (rinsed and picked over)
• 4 carrots, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
• 1 large chopped onion
• 3 celery stalks, cut into 1/4 inch pieces and some shredded/torn celery leaves
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 package of turkey kielbasa or whatever type you prefer, sliced
• 2 cups of beef broth
• 4 cups of water
• salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients in your slow cooker and stir.  Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or on high 4-5 hours.  Serve with a dollop with sour cream and enjoy! Happy 2015!

RHC