Vegan Recipe: Easy Lentil Soup

Are you looking for an easy soup recipe that contains no meat or animal products? Today I am cooking an easy lentil soup for lunch.

Since it is vegan, and no animals byproducts, vegetable stock is used in place of chicken or beef stock. Next onions carrots, potatoes, spices and lentils are chopped and added to the pot.

Butternut squash is peeled and cubed. I think it is such a pretty color but is a little hard to peal.

The squash and potatoes are ready to go in the mixture of stock and spices.

Onions aren't one of my favorite vegetables to chop but no crying this time.

Bring to to a boil for a while then . . .

reduce the heat, cover with a lip and let it cook about an hour.

Ingredients

• 2 cups green lentils, rinsed
• 3 cups water
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 1lb butternut squash peeled and cut into cubes
• 8oz yikon gold potatoes, cubed
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed rosemary
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 3 bay leaves
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 14.5oz can fire roasted crushed tomatoes
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

Directions

1. Place lentils, water, broth, and all the ingredients up to and including the bay leaves into a large pot and stir well. Bring to a boil while stirring, then cover the pot, lower to a low heat and cook until the lentils are tender (about an hour). Add water if the soup begins to dry out.
2. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and tomatoes, and taste the soup. Add more seasoning if necessary. Cook uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring the bottom often. Remove the bay leaves and stir in the vinegar just before serving.
3. Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Chow.com

12 Tomatoes.com

Linking to:

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage

Make-It-Pretty Monday’s at The Dedicated House

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Metamorphosis Monday@ Between Naps on the Porch

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict

You’re Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe With an E

Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Let's Dish  at Cuisine Kathleen on Wednesday

Centerpiece Wednesday at the Style Sisters

Ivy and Elephants for What Is It Wednesday

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Tablescape Thursday@ Between Naps on the Porch

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine’s Corner
Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home on Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday at the French Country Cottage

Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Jennifer Rizzo for Fabulously Creative Friday

Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper
Sunny Simple Sunday at Sunny Simple Life

Relaxing by the Fire with Panera

Do you ever just want to relax by the fire and eat something that has lots of flavor and not too many calories?

That's how I felt today. I went to work at the university and the temperature was 1 degrees with a wind chill of -15. I had on my warmest down coat, gloves, ear muffs, and a hood. The walk from the car to the building was so very cold and windy. I must just love teaching to endure this!  Class was great, it's a new semester and it's always interesting to meet and work with new students.

Then came time to bundle back up and commute another 45 minutes home. As I was driving, all I had on my mind was getting back to the warm house and relaxing by the fire. The temperature was now up to 12 degrees but I felt chilled to the bone. The fire was calling me but I needed something to eat too. Luckily, there is a Panera Bread close to the house but I need to watch my calories. 

Here's what I came home with: Cream of Chicken with wild rice soup and a French baguette. The soup is long grain and wild rice, celery, onions, carrots and diced chicken simmered in chicken both embellished with cream and herbs. The soup is 310 calories for a bowl but the Pick Two menu is a smaller cup of soup and a half sandwich. I may need to just eat the soup for now and save the rest for tomorrow. The soup had a great flavor and met by need for something warm to eat.

For the sandwich part of the Pick-Two menu, I selected a bacon turkey bravo on tomato basil bread. The sandwich looks delish but I could save some calories and remove the bacon or the Smoked Gouda cheese. This is a half sandwich but still 415 calories so I better think it over and remove the bacon or cheese and eat it for lunch tomorrow .

When you order, you get a choice or bread, chips or an apple. I have cut the apple in half for a little less calories.

If you don't have to watch your calories as closely, you might like a brownie. I cut this brownie into three pieces. 

If you have been shoveling snow for hours, you may want to eat all three pieces of the brownie and not share a bite. I'm giving the brownie to my grandsons for a treat.

These indigo salad plates are one of my favorite blues, you can read a little more about the plates and napkins here. 

Let's get back to the fire now. After I eat and get warm, what shall I do? I might take a short nap, read a good book, look at a magazine 

or think about Spring and the sweet birds coming back!

Stay warm and take care - Judy.

Linking to:

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage

Make-It-Pretty Monday’s at The Dedicated House

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Metamorphosis Monday@ Between Naps on the Porch

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict

You’re Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe With an E

Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Let's Dish  at Cuisine Kathleen on Wednesday

Centerpiece Wednesday at the Style Sisters

Ivy and Elephants for What Is It Wednesday

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Tablescape Thursday@ Between Naps on the Porch

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine’s Corner
Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage

Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home on Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday at the French Country Cottage

Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Jennifer Rizzo for Fabulously Creative Friday

Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper
Sunny Simple Sunday at Sunny Simple Life

Winter Blues and a Blue and White Tablescape

Wow, I have already had enough snow, cold temperatures and blowing winds for a whole winter. I love blue and white tablescapes so I have one from the past to share with you today.

My white snowflake napkin rings are perfect for the blue napkins.

My tablescape is pretty inexpensive, with several of the elements coming from the Dollar Tree (white plates, and blue water goblets).The blue candle holder, white votive candles, and smaller blue glasses are from Home Goods.The blue placemats are TJ Maxx.The flatware was a wedding gift from my Grandmother.The tablecloth was purchased from eBay and not too pricey. 

A few tulips in a blue vase should help me get through a snowfall.

I do think snow is so beautiful and so much fun for my grandsons to play and throw snowballs. But it's the driving in the car and trying to get around that makes it a little  scary. 

My daughter, SIL, and grandson's went to Breckenridge, CO after Christmas to ski, I'll do a post on their trip soon. 

Until then, take care - Judy

Linking to: 

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage

Make-It-Pretty Monday’s at The Dedicated House
Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict

You’re Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe With an E

Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Centerpiece Wednesday at the Style Sisters

Ivy and Elephants for What Is It Wednesday
Winter Blues Wednesday at DIY By Design

Tablescape Thursday@ Between Naps on the Porch

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine’s Corner

Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home on Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday at the French Country Cottage

Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Jennifer Rizzo for Fabulously Creative Friday

Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper 

Sunny Simple Sunday at Sunny Simple Life

Top 10 Posts of 2013

It is kind of fun to see exactly what were your top ten posts of 2013. 





My #1 post was Rolo Pretzel Turtles. 

We started our holiday baking early and the Rolo Pretzel Turtles were our first goodie to make for the season. I would not have thought this would have been my #1 post but my readers tell the truth.

My # 2 post was Stars and Stripes - Let Freedom Ring. 

I think it was the Pottery Barn pillows that made this post a favorite. 

My #3 post was Hoppy Easter. 

For this post, I found the cutest green and pink plaid tablecloth, plus a great rabbit pitcher for the centerpiece. 

My #4 post was Containers. 

I created this post for Favorites on the First over at The Polohouse and fell in love with my containers and created a mantel display with them.  




My #5 post was Relaxing on the Porch with a bite of Chocolate. 

This one was created when I really did need to relax on the porch and chocolate makes me happy any time.







My #6 post was Pottery Barn Fall Inspiration and a purchase. 

We must all love Pottery Barn and getting some inspiration from their fabulous displays. 



My #7 post was White Dishes Orange Accents. 

It was created for an all white dishes and one accent color challenge over at Cuisine Kathleen for Let's Dish. 








My #8 post was Fourth of July - A Patriotic Tablescape. The fourth is always a favorite holiday for me to create a tablescape. 






My # 9 post Gerber Daisies - A Colorful Table. This one was so fun working with the bright orange and green colors. 












And last but not least was 
My #10 post Patriotic Centerpiece - Dollar Tree Savings and a Tutorial. 

This post was for a Dollar Tree challenge over at Debbie Doos. 

I want to give a big "Thank You" to my readers of 2013. I hope to continue bringing you posts to enjoy - Judy.

Linking to:

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict

You’re Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe With an E

Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Let's Dish  at Cuisine Kathleen on Wednesday

Centerpiece Wednesday at the Style Sisters

Ivy and Elephants for What Is It Wednesday

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Tablescape Thursday@ Between Naps on the Porch

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine’s Corner

Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home on Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday at the French Country Cottage

Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Jennifer Rizzo for Fabulously Creative Friday

Seasonal Sunday at The Tablescaper
Sunny Simple Sunday at Sunny Simple Life

New Year's Partyscapes

Are you planning a New Year's party and thinking about ideas for an exciting table? I have two tablescape ideas to share with you.

Do you like flashy with geometric? Then this black & white with silver touches could be the tablescape for you. 

Did you notice the bamboo block placemat, then the silver lace glass charger, and the black and white geometric designed plates?

The beaded napkin ring has lots of sparkle.

The Calypso flatware is classy and beautiful with the tablescape.

You may like the tablescape with the blues for your New Year's party. It starts with Metallic Damask Jute Table Runner then the Aqua Beaded Round Placemat and the Teal Crackle Flute. You know how much I love aqua. 

Beautiful combination with the Linen Glitter Dinner Plate in Mocha with a teal square dinner plate, and a Linen Glitter Bowl in Mocha. 

The stainless steel is Wave Flatware.

Plus a Bronze and Gold loop napkin ring.

Wow, I like both tablescape and would love sitting at either of these table. I always think about New Years in Golds and Silver but you know how much I like aqua so it would be a hard decision.

Both of these tablescapes can be found at Pier I. Images are also from Pier I. It's not too late, you still have time to make a quick trip to their store.

Judy

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life on Tuesday

The Scoop at Confessions of a Plate Addict

You’re Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe With an E

Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Let's Dish  at Cuisine Kathleen on Wednesday

Centerpiece Wednesday at the Style Sisters

Ivy and Elephants for What Is It Wednesday

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Tablescape Thursday@ Between Naps on the Porch

Favorite Things Thursday at Katherine’s Corner

Transformation Thursday at Shabby Creek Cottage

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home on Thursday

Feathered Nest Friday at the French Country Cottage

Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday

My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Jennifer Rizzo for Fabulously Creative Friday

Seasonal Sunday at The TablescaperSunny Simple Sunday at Sunny Simple Life