Spicy Lentil & Sausage Soup

Ode to a Lentil

Lentil, your wholesome.
Lentil, you're tasty.
Lentil, you make my
Dinnertime hasty.

Okay, so I'm no Robert Frost. But I do love me some lentils! And what's not to love? They're nutritional powerhouses. They're just about as cheap as food comes these days. They're versatile. They're quick. And they're delicious. This soup has just three main ingredients, yet the flavors that come out of it suggest a much more complex recipe. Warm your belly and your taste buds this winter. Belly up to a bowl of lentil soup. Here's a great way to make it.

Spicy Lentil & Sausage Soup
Serves 4 or 6 (8 Points Plus value at 4 servings; 5 Points Plus Value at 6 servings)

What You Need:

• 1 lb turkey sausage (hot is what I used)
• 1 cup dry lentils
• 6 cups chicken stock (homemade is best by far)
• salt & pepper to taste

How it's Done:

1. Brown the turkey sausage, but do not drain when you're done.

2. Add the chicken stock.

3. Add the lentils.
4. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes, or until lentils are tender but not mushy.

5. If the soup is too thick, add more stock. I like mine thick. Salt and pepper to taste before serving.

One year ago: Buttermilk Bread

Winging It

Day 165.

The Hubs got a nummy lunch yesterday. See, it's low carbing right now, so most of his meals are Hunk O' Meat and Raw Salad Vegetables or Egg with or without Meat, Cheese, and Veggies. BORING.

I surprised him with some chicken wings yesterday for lunch. They were really easy to make, low-cost, low-carb, and he loved them.

Chicken Wings
Amounts shown are for 18 wings

What You Need:

• chicken wings (rinsed and patted dry)
• oil for deep frying
• 1/2 cup hot sauce
• 1/2 cup butter

How it's Done:

1. This is so easy if you have a deep fryer. We just happened to score one for cheap at a yard sale a few weeks ago. Heat the oil to 375 degrees.
2. Cook wings for 14 minutes or until cooked through. They will be nice and crispy.
3. While the wings are cooking, combine melted butter and hot sauce in a large bowl.
4. As the wings finish cooking, drop them into the sauce. Stir them around in the sauce so that they get coated nicely.
5. Serve right away with blue cheese dressing and celery.

Aren't those little dishes cute? They're from Pier One. I found the whole set at a thrift shop for $9.00 :)