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PART OF EASTER DINNER MENU
DAILY PREPARATION APRIL 3rd:  EASTER DINNER

GLUTEN-FREE & VEGAN

S H O P

GROCERY
Dried lentils
Kosher salt
Bay leaf
Whole cloves
Cumin
Peppercorns
Tumeric

GREEN MARKET
Spinach
Onions
Garlic
Celery
Parsley
OPTIONAL FLAVORING:  Lemon zest OR Fresh ginger OR Cayenne

T I M I N G

MAKES about 5 c, enough for 2 servings plus leftovers for work or school lunch
PREPARATION TIME: 10 min
COOKING TIME: 2 hrs
ADDED CONVENIENCE:  This can be prepared in a crock pot, adding all of the lentils at once.

1. Simmer 1 hr 15 min.
2. Add more lentils; simmer 45 min, or longer for richer flavor.
3. Add spinach & OPTIONAL FLAVORING.

C O O K  /  P R E P A R E

INGREDIENTS
2 c dried lentils (about 1 lb), rinsed & divided in half
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
Few celery leaves, tied together for later removal
1 TBSP kosher salt
2 qts filtered water
1 tsp tumeric
1 – 2 tsp cumin
1 lb spinach, stems trimmed
Put into spice infuser:

Few sprigs parsley
8 cloves
6 peppercorns
1 bay leaf

FLAVORING OPTION (select 1):

• Several slices fresh ginger, minced OR
• 1 TBSP lemon zest (about 1 lemon’s worth) OR
• Additional hot spices (as needed):  1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp tumeric & 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

COOKING

1. Bring water to boil on stove; add 1 c lentils & all other ingredients except OPTIONAL FLAVORING.
2. Simmer 1 hr 15 min.
3. Remove celery leaves.
4. Add rest of lentils (and, if selected, fresh ginger), return to a boil & simmer until added lentils are tender, about 45 min.
5. Add spinach &, if selected, OPTIONAL FLAVORING.  Bring back to a boil, stirring, for about 2 min.

S E R V E

Soup can be thinned with a little additional filtered water or vegetable stock.  If you want to add a little something to it,add canned tomatoes, whole or crushed.   Or make it a little thicker by simmering with the lid off & serve as a side dish for a vegetarian dinner w/a salad and vegetables.  Greek yogurt is a great accompaniment to spicy lentil soup, but don’t serve yogurt w/lemon-flavored soup.

W O R K P L A C E   L U N C H

As with most soups, this is great for a workplace or school lunch.