Monday, October 11, 2010

Fall and Lentils

The world around me is a fury of orange, reds, and yellows. Fall has to be the most gorgeous time of the year in the Adirondacks. The Adirondacks in the fall Pictures, Images and Photos



Today is Columbus day{we got a library book about this holiday}. We did some school work and are heading to the Black River for some fall hiking with our friends. I don't normally take off for this holiday, but it is a gorgeous day..cool, crisp, sunny, and it would be plain torture to keep my kids locked inside for school on a day like this{another reason why I homeschool}....And sadly, I will not be here for another Fall season in the beautiful Adirondacks!







Lentil Soup in the crockpot...for supper!





1 cup dried lentils
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups diced cooked ham
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
32 ounces chicken broth
1 cup water
8 teaspoons tomato sauce
Directions
In a 3 1/2 quart or larger slow cooker combine the lentils, celery, carrots, onion, garlic and ham. Season with basil, thyme, oregano, the bay leaf and pepper. Stir in the chicken broth, water and tomato sauce. Cover and cook on Low for 11 hours. Discard the bay leaf before serving.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 222 Total Fat: 6.1g



Lentils are an excellent source of protein, fiber, and folic acid.



Lentils, like other beans, are rich in dietary fiber, both the soluble and insoluble type. Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance in the digestive tract that snares bile (which contains cholesterol)and ferries it out of the body. Insoluble fiber not only helps to increase stool bulk and prevent constipation, but also helps prevent digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis.

Lentils are excellent in lowering cholesterol, they are of special benefit in managing blood-sugar disorders since their high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising rapidly after a meal.Lentils also provide good to excellent amounts of six important minerals, two B-vitamins, and protein-all with virtually no fat.

History:
Lentils are believed to have originated in central Asia. They are one of the first foods to have ever been cultivated. Lentil seeds dating back thousands of years have been found at archeological sites in the Middle East. Lentils were mentioned in the Bible both as the item that Jacob traded to Esau for his birthright and as a part of a bread that was made during the Babylonian captivity of the Jewish people.

I think I would LOVE to try this:
Moroccan lentil soup is easy to make. After cooking lentils, add diced vegetables of your choice and season with tamari{soy sauce}, coriander, cumin, turmeric and cayenne.

Off to go hiking~

Aubrey

6 comments:

HOPE said...

Absolutely GORGEOUS photo!!! Now why wasn't it COOL and CRISP (the apples were YUM) and ORANGE on our trip..whaaaa

It's a WARM ...84 here...but with my ORAGNE fall decor it does feel like FALL and my nice cinnamnon scenty you gave me. Thank you!

Sounds like a wonderful day...and the Lentil recipe a must to try.
Happy FALL day...

A said...

I can't see the photo, all I see is a blue question mark ;-(

But yes yes yes to lentils!! :-D

JeNaSis DeSiGn said...

What a gorgeous picture!!! =D

Unknown said...

Sounds yummy! I use a similar recipe with sage ground sausage instead of ham and diced tomatoes instead of the sauce. I love it! I just wonder am I depleting the health benefits by using sausage--a not very healthy food!

Shalmalee.... said...

Beautiful photo...Fall has a great and different energy...isnt it?

Tancy said...

I enjoy your photography. The picture of the mountains is awesome. Some friends of ours used to live near there and tell us about it alot. And thanks for the lentil recipes. I want to try them.
P.S. I am your latest follower!