Recipe: Calliope's Lentil Soup/Stew

recipelink.com Chat Room Recipe Swap - 2001-02-23
From: calliope,.NY

CALLIOPE'S LENTIL SOUP/STEW

1-bag lentils, any type
8 cups water and/or stock (more as needed)
2-large yellow onions, chopped
2-3 ribs celery, chopped
1-red pepper, diced
1-jalepeno pepper with ribs and seeds to taste for heat
or use red pepper flakes or some cayenne
1-cup chopped fennel bulb..and/or try some turnips
2-3 large carrots, chopped
6-cloves minced garlic
3-or more large boiling potatoes with the skin, cubed
1-box frozen spinach...or use escarole, mustard greens
or Swiss chard
salt and black pepper to taste
3-whole bay leaves
dried herbs (thyme, oregano, or
basil and plenty of fresh parsley...and a few dashes of cloves
1-28 oz. can crushed tomatoes in juice
1/2-cup dry red wine (optional)
juice of one fresh lemon
1-2 tablespoons molasses or brown sugar
Red wine vinegar to taste at the end
Minced scallions for the top

You know what to do, I'm sure!