So I thought I was going to make Bulgarian lentil soup. This didn't happen exactly as I planned. These things happen. It turns out that I don't have a recipe for it.

Here's how it worked in a series of three photos:

[caption id="attachment_4276" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Lentils and a Pot"]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4276" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4276"><img class="size-large wp-image-4276 " title="Lentils and a Pot" src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7036-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4277" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Lentils: Bubbling "]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4277" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4277"><img class="size-large wp-image-4277 " title="Lentils: Bubbling " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7040-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_4275" align="alignleft" width="614" caption="Lentils: Finished Product "]<a rel="attachment wp-att-4275" href="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/?attachment_id=4275"><img class="size-large wp-image-4275 " title="Lentils: Finished Product " src="http://www.karolinkabulgaria.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_7042-1024x682.jpg" alt="" width="614" height="409" /></a>[/caption]

I figured that I'd put lentils in a pan with water, carrots, a can of tomatoes and a potato. Then I added what I thought were Bulgarian spices: salt, pepper, red pepper and parsley.

I know, I know. I probably should have added the Bulgarian spice chubritsa but I didn't have any. I probably also should have gone to the grocery store on Sunday but these things happen.

It was tasty but I am told: not Bulgarian. It was too thick--stew like rather than soup like.

So you'll have to think of the lentil soup as a warm-up. As a test run.

Next time I promise that I'll 1. I'll find a recipe and 2. I'll try to follow the recipe and 3. I will try to not improvise and make the dish too American.

But maybe you'll notice the cabbage and carrot side salad. That seems more Bulgarian than American...