Spicy Eyes

or, How to Throw Together A Soup When You're Poor

2 cups cooked lentils (cook them according to package directions) ($0.50)

3 cups hot water ($0.01)

3 chicken bouillon cubes ($0.05)

1 clove garlic, minced ($0.03)

1 jalapeno, seeds removed, chopped ($0.09)

1 medium carrot, cut into 1/4-inch rounds ($0.10)

Saute garlic in 1 Tbsp. olive oil ($0.12) over medium heat ($0.01) 2-3 minutes. Add chopped carrot and jalapeno, cook another 2-3 minutes or until carrot begins to soften.

Add lentils, water, and bouillon, 1/2 tsp. salt ($0.001), 1/4 tsp. pepper ($0.002), 1/2 tsp cumin ($0.09) and 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper ($0.01). Bring to a boil, and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

If you've got leftover $$$ to spend, splurge on a crispy slice of bacon crumbled over the soup ($0.15) with a little bit of feta cheese ($0.25) to boot.

Makes 3 or 4 main dish servings ... not bad for 91 cents. Or $1.31, if you're a big spender.

The only advice I have in the making of this soup is this: do not rub your eyes or touch your eyelids or bring your fingers anywhere close to the eyes during the making of this soup or the following 4 hours. Jalapeno residue is long lasting.

Lentil "stallingonthekohlrabi" Stew ... ish.

Cat, I can't figure out where to buy kohlrabi (see previous posting and comments for purpose). I shall be on the lookout, but in the meantime I thought I'd post this anyway.

Makes 4 servings.

1/2 c. dried lentils

1 can diced tomatoes with jalapenos (I used Rotel) -- drain, reserving liquid

1 can kernel corn or 1 c. frozen kernel corn

1 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/4 tsp. chili powder

1 c. uncooked rice

2 c. water

Reserved liquid from tomatoes

Cook lentils according to package directions.

Cook rice according to package directions, adding the reserved liquid from the can of tomatoes to the cooking rice. Keep warm.

Drain excess water from the cooked lentils, but leave enough so that liquid is up to the level of the beans. In medium-sized saucepan, combine lentils, tomatoes, corn, and spices. Add other seasonings to taste. Simmer over medium-low heat for 10 minutes. Serve over prepared hot rice.

"ISH" happens to be my new favorite descriptor. You can't argue with the "ish." I decided that this lentil recipe isn't so much of a stew, but it's stew-ish. It's more stewish than soupish; it's more stewish than side-dishish; and it's more stewish than entreeish.

I'm embracing the "ish" right now for personal reasons too ...

... I'm adult ... ish ...

... I'm happy ... ish ...

... I'm creative ... ish ...

... I'm lonely ... ish ...

... I'm hopeful ... ish ...

... I'm fearful ... ish ...

... I'm growing ... ish ...

... I'm Katherine ... ish ...