Encouraging you to eat better

Remember I said that I was going to try to encourage other people to eat better. Better for the environment, better for their waistlines, better for their pocket books?

Well, today a little recipe.

Amanda's Lentil soup,
taken from ATK's Soups and Stews

4 slices of bacon about $1.25
1 c. lentils about 36 cents
2 carrots about 20 cents
2 ribs of celery about 25 cents
2 onions about 78 cents
4 c. chicken stock (organic) $3.99
3/4 c. white wine about $1.50
1 T balsamic vinegar no clue.... maybe 5 cents?
1 bay leaf and a pinch of thyme oh, jsut throw in a quarter
3 cloves of garlic 13 cents
salt and pepper oh, it's free

Dice the bacon and cook over low until crispy and fat rendered. While it's cooking, dice the mirepoix, then add it, the herbs, and the garlic to the fat. Sweat for 5 minutes. Add the lentils (picked and washed), and cook for 10 minutes. Add the stock, the wine, and a cap and half of water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cook for 35 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar.

I jsut did that and got 8 servings that I've frozen for us to eat for lunch. So that's a total of $8.76 for 8 servings. About $1.10 per lunch. Less if I bought in bulk. Even less if I bought it without being organic. Compare that to $3/can for store bought stuff. Or $7 for a Panera soup and sandwich.

And, since it's just legumes (protien!) and veggies, plus a little bit of bacon fat, it's fabulous for you. Add a green salad for more nutritionally goodness.

May ate a whole cup of it for dinner tonight.

And no, it's not all local produce. It's winter in New England and I didn't manage to buy enough to store before we moved. But it is partially local and all oganic. But it's still better for the environment than a big Mac or Subway sandwich, which is apparently the usual lunch in America.

And since I made a big batch on Sunday afternoon, it's actually fast and easy lunch. Easier than going out for lunch. Just toss it in the microwave.

Just something to think about as I try to save the world for my daughter.

(Margaret, it could be made with butter or vegetable oil, too.)