Reuse, Recycle and Make Lentil Soup

Me: “I made  lentils, but I didn’t have time to make the recipe I saw. Now I have no idea what to do.”

Ellen: “Are you going to make soup?”

Me: “Yes…..I was thinking of that.”

Ellen walks away.

Me: “Ellen – how did you know that?”

Ellen: “I saw a peanut butter jar with liquid in the fridge, and I got worried. Then I realized it was probably soup stock. It is soup stock, right?”

Me: “You’ve got it.”

Not only do I turn vegetable bits into soup stock, I turn jam – and peanut butter – jars into containers. I also turn yarhtzeit glasses into drinking cups, but that’s a story for another time. Meanwhile, my very serious take on the government’s edit to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle scares the roommates. Every time they turn around there are more glass jars on the shelves, and in the fridge. Though they love soap and water, they aren’t fully convinced that anything designed for salsa should hold hot chocolate mix. I beg to differ.

Somewhere out there, a government official is smiling. Right here, a government official is eating lentil soup.

 

Lentil Soup

4 c cooked lentils, pureed in a food processor

1 dallop oil

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 lb greenbeans, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

4 c soup stock

hearty dose of “fish seasoning” spice

1 bay leaf

other spices as desired

 

Sautee onion and garlic in oil. When translucent, add vegetables and cook till tender. Pour in soup stock and lentils, add spices. Bring to a boil uncovered, cover and simmer for as long as desired.

Daytime Dinner

Daytime weddings are the best.

There are no crowded rush-hour trains. At worst you share the train-car with some weekend warriors, a smattering of tourists, and a lot of empty seats. At best, everyone decides to go because it’s so utterly convenient, and you get a ride there and back. You could even spend the trip cavorting, since you won’t be bone-tired from a busy day of work or play.

Since the wedding overlaps with lunchtime, it’s easy to have a nice brunch or late-morning snack. Much easier, in fact, than slotting an extra meal in before that 6pm wedding. At a daytime wedding, thankfully, there’s no need to double-dinner.

Best of all, there is never a late-night requirement. 6pm, and you’re home – shoes off, feet up. Or attempting to put a child to bed. Either way you’re much closer to your bed than you’d be otherwise.   If there is a down-side, I have yet to hear of it.

However, as the day wears on, and the hours lengthen, it becomes apparent that there is still something to do done. Dinner. Sure, the tables were groaning with food a mere few hours ago. But that time has passed. And here we are – hungry, but not ready to justify a full-course meal. The solution is light, easy, and delicious. Plus, it’s courtesy of today’s bride.

 

Chickpea Salad
1 can chick peas [15 oz]
½ red pepper, chopped
½ onion, chopped
1 cucumber or green pepper, chopped
1 tblsp balsamic vinegar
2 tblsp olive oil
¼ tsp each garlic powder and oregano
salt & pepper, to taste

Toss all ingredients together. Chill & serve.

Ice Cream Confessional

I recently bought caramel ice cream.

I don’t like caramel ice cream.

I bought it so that I could eat the chocolate covered pretzels out of it.

I’m not the only one who’s been down that road. A Special Correspondent has found herself in the same situation. 

I Drawn the Line, And Not In An Artistic Manner

I will not be making shtick for your wedding. In preparation for your wedding, I will come to your engagement party, vort, shower, and wedding. I will bring gifts, I will make small talk, I will pretend your future mother-in-law didn’t diss you in front of all your friends. There are many, many thing I will do for you.

I will not make shtick for your wedding.

At the wedding, I will dance and clap and jump. I will continue doing the four-step when someone’s just punctured my skin with their spiked high-heels. I will do my best to increase your simcha.

I will not put pen to posterboard.

You have to draw the line somewhere. I draw the line at shtick. I will not spend my free time pouring hours into cardboard and markers that you might see for two seconds, before smiling vaguely and pulling someone else into your chosen circle. Sure I didn’t find the shtick that funny, but no one cared what I think . You didn’t seem to find it funny and you let it show. Unlike me, there are people who poured time and energy into all that shtick, hoping it would make you feel special. I will not be part of crushing those people – those shtick coordinators – who spent the last three nights sketching, drawing, and, and printing up pictures just to see that fleeting smile. It’s a waste of your time, so it’s a waste of mine too.

However, if you want me to bring some belly-dancing skirts, that’s another story…