I have loads of cookbooks. They're all really good. I read them like any other book. The weird thing is, I rarely follow a recipe to the letter. If it's baking or something I'm less familiar with, I'll be more exacting. But usually, no.
I've been cooking a long time. It's such a wonderful thing to do...like gardening or any other creative effort. Sometimes it's hard if I'm very tired. Cooking for one can be emotionally tricky at times as well. It's a good thing there are almost always leftovers, for those more challenging days.
Yesterday was so very dreary. It was rainy, gray and cold. The weather called for soup or stew. It had been a long time since I made a lentil stew and that sounded good to me.
Now, I don't have a written recipe for this. But my ingredient list is: lentils, mushrooms, onions, garlic, thyme, carrot, parsnip, celery... for seasoning: salt, pepper, soy sauce, nutritional yeast and a splash of balsamic vinegar. This time, I also added some jarred roasted red pepper (which I had in my fridge from making pizza last weekend) which really made the stew special. There's olive oil and a little butter as well. Usually I soak the lentils in hot boiled water for about half an hour or so. While they're soaking I cook all the veggies in the oil/butter until they're a little browned (maybe with some salt and pepper). Then I'll add the drained lentils to the mix, sauteing just a bit. After that, cover with water by an inch or two. Usually I'll add a bit more salt at this point, and some pepper. I wait to add the soy sauce, nutritional yeast and vinegar until the end, tasting as I go. If I have fresh parsley in the garden, I'll add that at the end too...but there isn't any right now.
I have to say, either this turned out exceptionally well this time, or it's just been so long since I had it I'd forgotten how good it can be.
The bowls, by the way, were made by my son for me!
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