Lentil Soup - 3 points

Hearty, hot soup in the summer? Yes. I know that it isn't popular with some people, but to me soup is a year round food. I like this one because it uses so many great items that are available at the Farmers Market- not just the veggies and herbs but also the molasses. If you have not had molasses that was grown and pressed locally, you have not really had molasses. The taste difference is monumental.

Lentil Soup
1 lb dried lentils
1/2 cup brown rice
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup green pepper, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup tomato paste
1 cup celery, chopped
1 tbsp molasses
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 dried bay leaf
1/2 tsp sage
1/2 tsp thyme
2 cloves garlic, minced

1. Wash and sort lentils. Place in large pot; cover with water by 2 to 3 inches. Bring to a boil and cover. Turn down heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
2. Add brown rice and simmer for 30 minutes. Add remaining ingredients save lemon juice and simmer for another 15 minutes. Add lemon juice just before serving.
3. Yields 12, 3 point servings

I have been taking my nephew with me to VBS this week. He has been singing part of a song in the car. It has been driving me nuts because it is a song that I know, but I just couldn't think if it. Finally, today, I Googled the phrase he kept repeating - "bam ba lam" and up popped a thousand links for "Black Betty". Of course! Shockingly, my husband, who reads Rolling Stone cover to cover and has seen just about everyone you can think of in concert- had never heard this song. The original was by Lead Belly, but I love the 70's fashion in this Ram Jam version.

Spicy Lentils - 3 points

Happy Father's Day! I hope that all of the great dads out there are enjoying a fantastic day and all of those lucky enough to have a great dad are celebrating him. I am one of the lucky ones who has an amazing father who came to every school event, read me stories, tried all of my experimental recipes, encouraged me to think for myself, and - when I was in high school - played cards with me almost every night before dinner. My dad loves Indian food - especially tandoori chicken - so here is a recipe is a spicy recipe in his honor.

Spicy Lentils - Betty Crocker's New Cookbook
3 cups water
3/4 dried split peas
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cumin
1 small onion, finely chopped

1. Heat water and peas to boiling in a large saucepan. Boil, uncovered, for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low; simmer 25 minutes or until peas are tender.
2. Spray a skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Add onions and spices to the skillet, stirring occasionally until onions are tender. Stir in peas until evenly coated.
3. Yields 4, 3 point servings

There are many outstanding fathers, uncles, brothers, grandfathers, step-fathers, and friends I know who are working hard to be examples to the young people in their lives. I am very thankful for all of them and wish them a great day.