Lentil Soup for the Soul

Okay, so this picture on its surface has nothing to do with lentil soup, except that it's me, yesterday, when I was feeling totally drained of all energy. It felt like someone had literally sucked all the life out of me. I don't know why I felt this way -- could be allergies, or just that I need more sleep, or maybe a deficiency of some sort, possibly zinc. I think extended breastfeeding can really take a lot out of a person, and there are just some days when I really feel out of it. Anyway, I've been craving a lot of nutrient-dense soups lately, and have been generally drawn to eating a bit lighter now that summer is here. I wanted to share a delicious recipe for lentil soup I recently made (and am still enjoying every day for breakfast while it lasts!). I made this soup with homemade bone broth made with beef marrow bones, simmered for 48 hours. When cooled, this broth is quite gelatinous so very rich and nutritious. Making soup with this broth is a great way to get a lot of nutrition in in a way that is easy on the digestion, good for people who are healing or depleted in some way.

Here's the recipe, modified slightly from Sally Fallon's wonderful book, Nourishing Traditions:

Roman Lentil Soup (this recipe left me plenty for leftovers to freeze).

Ingredients:

• 3 medium onions, peeled and sliced, or 3 leeks washed, trimmed and sliced (I used leeks!)
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 tbsp butter (I used ghee here)
• 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 quarts of homemade beef or chicken stock, or combo of filtered water and stock (I used all stock except for one cup)
• 2 cups red or brown lentils, rinsed and soaked for 7 hours (don't skip the soaking!)
• several sprigs of fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 tsp dried green peppercorns (I used mixed peppercorns)
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• sea salt or fish sauce, and pepper
• creme fraiche (you can use good-quality sour cream if you can't find creme fraiche) 

In a large, stainless steel pot, cook onions or leeks and carrots gently for about 1/2 hour in butter and olive oil. When the vegetables are soft, add stock and lentils and bring to a boil. The lentils will produce some degree of foam -- be sure to skim this off. Reduce heat and add thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Simmer, covered, until the lentils are tender, about 1/2 hour. Remove the thyme and bay leaves.

Puree soup with a handheld blender (or a regular blender is fine too). If necessary (it wasn't for me), thin the soup to desired consistency with water or more stock. Reheat slightly and season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls, adding lemon juice and creme fraiche on top. Yum!!!

I am telling you people, this is an amazing soup recipe. The bay and thyme smell heavenly while the soup simmers. But you have to use homemade stock -- that is what makes it. Do not use store-bought stock or boullion cubes. It will not be good. Good stock is also what turns it into a meal, as opposed to an appetizer. The creme fraiche isn't imperative, but it definitely puts it over the top. You could also use yogurt, that would also be really good. Another option is to chop up some fresh herbs like parsley or chives, and mix in. To make stock is simple: put chicken (whole carcass) or beef marrow bones from organic (and preferably pastured) animals into a pot with some crushed garlic, peppercorns, and about 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar per 3 lbs bones. Add filtered water and simmer for 24 hours for chicken stock, and 48 for beef. It's good to use a slow cooker so you don't have to watch it or worry about the stove being on while you're out. You can also add some chopped carrot or leftover herbs, and/or onion (don't peel if organic), but it's not necessary.

So for the picture: I included it partly because I wanted to post and didn't have a pic of the soup to include. But also because I have been trying to figure out not only what to eat, but what to wear with this new Portland lifestyle I've got going on here. It's been challenging adapting to this climate (very wet for much of the year), and this lifestyle of biking everywhere. I have sold off to thrift stores I'd say probably 2/3 of the clothing I owned in New York. Not only did most of it not fit post-baby, but most of it was just stuff that is not compatible with being a stay-at-home, work-from-home mom and basically biking everywhere. Anyway, I liked this outfit - simple shades of grey (save the shoes!). I considered it a success relative to certain other days where I wake up and stare blankly into my closet. I think I have figured out how to dress here without completely abandoning some sense of style, and without looking like a walking advertisement for REI (nothing against REI - I love it, but there are people who walk around with this sort of gear on all the time).  It's a very tricky marriage of utility and comfort with style. Sometimes I wish I could just go back to M. Dumas and Sons in Charleston, where we used to shop as kids, and pick up some Dickies, Lee jeans, and some of those preppy leather mocs we always wore. On another note, WHEN did Dumas turn into a men's-only shop????