Since Kyle and I have been making weekly meal plans (going on week four!) it’s become really apparent to me just how often we used to splurge on WF hot bars (as lazy backup dinner options).
Even now that I know what’s on the menu for the days to come, I still have moments of weakness where I don’t really feel like cooking. The simplicity and deliciousness of their pre-made eats call to me. Of course it’s often towards the end of the week when the fridge is stark. It doesn’t help that I’ve been on night shifts this week so Kyle and I don’t even overlap in our time at home. Not eating together means I have to leave him notes about what I made, including what he can pair it with, what he should do with the leftovers, and what he has left over for his lunch the next day.
God bless the crock-pot.
Kyle loves lentil soup (like, seriously adores it, and won’t ever pass it up if he sees it on a menu) and has been begging for me to make it since forever ago.
So I did.
And it was awesome. He was a very happy husband. And I was a happy hippie. Because it was vegan, cheaper than dirt, and made enough for dayyyyyys.
Vegan Lentil Soup
Ingredients:
- 3 cups brown lentils
- 2 cups water
- 1 qt vegetable broth
- 1 1/2 cups tomato soup (I used Imagine soup)
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 1-2 stalks celery, chopped
- a pinch of spices (cumin, paprika, basil, parsley, oregano, rosemary, onion powder, garlic powder [and a dash of TJ’s 21 seasoning salute])
It will look like a ton of liquid, but the lentils absorb it. Cook in slow cooker on low for 7 hours. You can stir part way through if you want.
Yum.
In other news, our tomato plants are going crazy. It’s awesome. We used to have a million little green goobers…and all of a sudden they are all red!!
You don’t need to do much to these…olive oil, balsamic, salt & pepper. Done.
I like summer. I like living by the beach.
I like that it’s light out late. And warm during the day, and cooler in the evening.
And I like hanging out with the windows and doors open. So I can keep an eye on our tomatoes.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
ooo, ooo, ooo, i LOVE it when i’m the first to post!!!
of course i have to comment on the fact that your pot of lentils looks like — nevermind.
and speaking of the hot food bar at WF, i went there last night after the bar. it’s a testament to my dedication to being “healthy” that i got wasted at happy hour and then went to whole foods to get hot-foods-bar wasted. their samosas are the shit. period. amen.
and i did something else last night when i was all fueled up with liquid courage… text me and i’ll tell you. you will DIE. i’m trying to decide if i should blog about it or not. i think kyle may kill me if i blog about it, so i’ll save it for my book that i someday hope to write.
miss you. love you. xoxo
i cant stop thinking about our 5 am text exchange yesterday…i was literally laughing my ass off at you all day.
god i miss you.
I totally neglect lentils.. I love Amy’s lentil soup, but I have never made it myself- or maybe I have and it was just forgettable! I never thought to make it in the crockpot before- and now that I have one I guess I have a good excuse! Those tomatoes look amazing, there is nothing like homegrown
Looks like you have a green thumb
yes!!! after our rosemary and basil plants at our old place didnt last, i thought i was doomed, but this definitely reinforces that it wasnt me
phew. tomatoes are coming out of our ears! i love it!
this looks perfect, and so easy! Definitely making this soon.
Going to buy a crock pot. Right now.
yes. it will make your life so wonderfully simple.
what gorgeous tomato plants!! oh my gosh, lucky you! and yum, i love lentil soup too! there’s something SO comforting about it. never used TJ’s 21 spice though…i’ll have to pick some up – i’m intrigued:)
get it! its good in and on everything! i promise.
I love lentils but I’ve never cooked them at home before. I may have to try your recipe…I’ve rarely messed up a crockpot recipe.
Have you been to Bloom? They make a divine tandoori chicken (will sub tofu) over a fluffy bed of quinoa and lentils. It makes my mouth water just typing that!!
where is bloom? ive never been but im allllll about good indian food recs.
It’s on Pico between Fairfax and Hauser. It’s not an Indian place but more of an eclectic mix of healthy food and yummy juices. They have amazing breakfast items…actually everything I’ve ordered there has been amazing. You can check out their menu at http://www.bloomcafe.com. Let me know if you try it. It’s become our Saturday brunch after yoga stop.
excellent. now its on my radar.
I love lentil soup, too, and its simplicity. I often make a big batch with no seasonings and then add different spices each time I eat it — Indian one day, Italian another, Mexican, French, etc.
Also, your apartment is ridic. I am super jealous.
thanks!!! we are in love with it too
that such a clever way to do lentils!! i may have to do that enxt time – theyll never get old.
I am with Kyle on this one–lentil soup is my favorite! I have never put tomato soup in it before though…I need to try that next time!
Courtney
Wow, that’s actually one of the most simple crock-pot recipes that I’ve seen. And it looks delicious!
Thank God for this post!! I’m starting a new program in college next week and was starting to freak for lack of ideas of things to get on the table for the kids. I won’t let them eat crap because it’s easy but now I get easy and healthy!! You’re awesome!!
thanks bren! i can definitely appreciate the time crunch even without kids…way to make healthy eats a priority even while mega multitasking!! you rock!
I made this yesterday and after one bite my husband stopped eating to give me a hug
Thanks for the awesome recipe!!
thats the CUTEST response ive ever heard of!!! your husband is fantastic
Really wanted to make the soup for tonight, but been busy all morning. Do you know if I can shorten the cook time by putting the crock pot on high for part of it?
hi vanessa. i have a feeling it will work but i dont know because i havent tried it. maybe 4-5 hours on high? let me know if you tried it.
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