Lentils

Ingredients 2 cups red lentils 2 inch fresh ginger, grated 4 cloves garlic, minced 1.5 tsp turmeric 2.5 tsp curry powder 5 cups water or some type of broth Salt and pepper to taste Optional add ons in dish (cook with lentils) or as toppings at end: Butter Onion variety Jalapeno Cilantro Other veggies Instructions Place all of primary ingredients in large saucepan and bring to simmer. Cook 15-20 minutes until everything is soft and it is a little thicker. Add optional items if cooking via the one-pot method Add optional toppings Serve with rice

Ingredients 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow or white onion, chopped 2 carrots, peeled and chopped 4 garlic cloves, pressed or minced 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1 large can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes, lightly drained 1 cup brown or green lentils, picked over and rinsed 4 cups vegetable broth 2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt, more to taste Pinch of red pepper flakes Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 cup chopped fresh collard greens or kale, tough ribs removed 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice (1/2 to 1 medium lemon), to taste Instructions Warm the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion and carrot and cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened and is turning translucent, about 5 minutes Add the garlic, cumin, curry powder and thyme. Cook until fragrant while stirring constantly, about 30 seconds. Pour in the drained diced tomatoes and cook for a few more minutes, stirring often Pour in the lentils, broth and the water. Add 1 teaspoon salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Season generously with freshly ground black pepper. Raise heat and bring the mixture to a boil, then partially cover the pot and reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape Transfer 2 cups of the soup to a blender. Securely fasten the lid, protect your hand from steam with a tea towel placed over the lid, and puree the soup until smooth. Pour the pureed soup back into the pot. (Or, use an immersion blender to blend a portion of the soup.) Add the chopped greens and cook for 5 more minutes, or until the greens have softened to your liking. Remove the pot from the heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Taste and season with more salt, pepper and/or lemon juice until the flavors really sing. For spicier soup, add another pinch or two of red pepper flakes Serve while hot

Ingredients 1 yellow onion chopped 4 garlic cloves minced 3 carrots chopped 3 tsp oregano 1.5 tsp cumin 1 tsp rosemary (or more) 1 tsp red pepper flakes 2 bay leaves 1-1.5 cup crushed tomatoes from a can 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth (buy the good stuff not the cheap salt variety) 1-1.5 cup red lentils Salt and pepper to taste Few tbsp lemon juice Optional toppings: Feta cheese, greek rice, crackers, bread Instructions Heat oil in big pot and saute onion, garlic and carrots for a few minutes on med-high heat Add spices and bay leaves and stir a few seconds. Quickly add tomatoes, broth and lentils before spices burn Simmer for 15-20 minutes until lentils are fully cooked Using an immersion blender (or blender) pulse until you get it as smooth as you want it Add lemon juice and serve with optional toppings available

Ingredients 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 large onion, diced small 3 large carrots, diced small 1 tsp dried thyme 1 cup brown or green lentils 4 tbsp red wine (or less of red wine vinegar) 1.5-2 cups water 1-2 tsp salt 2-3 lbs yukon gold potatoes (buy a 5 pound bag and sort out quantity, see below) Few tsp salt 3 large garlic cloves, peeled but left whole Butter or olive oil (if vegetarian or making vegan) Black pepper 4 cups chopped kale (2 bunches) 2 cloves garlic, chopped roughly Parmesan cheese Instructions (do filling and mashed potatoes concurrently to save time) Filling: In small sauce pan on medium heat, saute onion, carrot and thyme until softened (~5 minutes). Add lentils and wine and stir well, bring to lively simmer. Add 1.5 cups water and bring back to simmer. Lower heat, cover and cook until tender (~40 minutes). Add more water if necessary. Taste at end and add salt if needed. Set aside Mashed potatoes: Get a large/wide soup pot and fill one layer (only one layer) densely with potatoes. Then add water until just the last millimeter of potato is above the water line. Add whole garlic, plenty of salt/pepper and simmer for ~30 minutes or until potatoes are well cooked (more time does not hurt) Remove potatoes and garlic from water (DO NOT discard water or drain) and mash in large mixing bowl. Add butter (or olive oil if making vegan), salt and liquid from pot until you have a good consistency and flavor of mashed potatoes. Add black pepper to taste With final bit of garlic and chopped kale, heat more oil in frying pan and saute garlic briefly before adding kale (as much as you can fit). Add more kale as it shrinks until all is cooked. Stir constantly to avoid burning garlic Combine kale mixture with filling mixture and put in greased baking dish (pick a size so filling is only ~1/2 inch tall in dish and evenly spread). Add mashed potatoes and spread evenly on top with spoon (this layer can be thicker). Sprinkle heavily with parmesan cheese. Cook at 350°F for 25 minutes. During final 2 minutes, set oven to broil and brown the cheesy top (watch carefully so no burning) Remove from oven, slice and serve. It cools quickly enough