Yeah, I haven't posted here in nearly a month, but that's not beceause I haven't been cooking. Nor is it because it has been so <a href="http://www.insidevoice.net/archives/2007/01/a_walk_in_the_w.html">cold</a> here. But man, it has been cold! I am a total wuss.<br /><br />What would you do if you found deep in your cupboard a bag of lentils that expired in 2002? <span style="font-style: italic;">I</span> would make lentil soup! Which is exactly what's on the stove right now. Making a big pot of soup is a great way to warm up the kitchen. And it's way better for you than baking cookies, my other favorite way to heat the apartment.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lentil Soup</span><br /><span>Joy of Cooking</span><br /><br />Heat in a large soup pot, over medium-low heat:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3 tablespoons olive oil</span><br /><br />Add and cook, stirring, until tender but not browned, 5 to 10 minutes:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3 medium carrots, peeled and diced</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3 medium celery stalks, diced</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1 large onion, diced</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3 cloves garlic, minced</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2 ounces prosciutto or pancetta, or 4 slices bacon, diced </span>(optional -- I left it out)<br /><br />Stir in:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8 cups water</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2 cups lentils, picked over and rinsed</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">one 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1 teaspoon dried thyme</span><br /><br />Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the lentils are tender, 30 to 45 minutes. Stir in:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.5 teaspoons balsamic vinegar</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">2 teaspoons salt (1 teaspoon if using the meat)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1 teaspoon ground black pepper</span><br /><br />I also add a bunch of washed and chopped spinach to the finished soup and cook it for a minute or two until it wilts. Extra veggies!