Day 18: Dinner

Is anyone wondering why I haven't posted for a couple of days? Simple- I haven't felt like cooking. In fact, I haven't felt like doing anything. It's been too cold! When Birmingham's temp dips below 20 degrees it's the local equivalent of the 105 inches of snow that covered Oswego, NY a couple of years ago. We view it as a natural disaster, and no one does anything but stay indoors under the electric blanket. It sure doesn't help that the first floor of my drafty old townhouse is incapable of a temperature above 63 degrees.

Tonight, however, I enjoyed a dish that I haven't eaten as much of as the standard vegan- lentil soup. Actually, Provencal lentil soup. I'll eat at Highland's or Cafe du Pont whenever I can afford to, but I've never actually cooked French food myself. All that makes this soup French, however, is its use of leeks rather than onions and the addition of that elusive herbal blend, herbes de Provence. So it's no fondue bourguignonne, but it's a good start.

This soup is as healthy as it gets, but has little flavor. The herbs add aroma but little flavor; it does smell awfully good. It's also VERY simple and freezes well. Here's the recipe:

• 5 cups water
• 1 tbsp. vegetable bouillon (or two large cubes)
• 1 cup red lentils
• 2 cups chopped leeks (you can use onions in a pinch)
• 4 carrots, diced
• 1 1/2 tsp. herbes de Provence (the masochist may make his own, using equal parts tarragon, basil, summer savory, marjoram, rosemary, chervil, and lavendar flowers)

1. Boil water with vegetable bouillon.

2. Add lentils, leeks, carrots, and herbs. Return to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for about 20 or so minutes (a good gauge is when the carrots are tender). 

That's it! Simple, huh?