serendipity soup

Serendipity is a wonderful thing. Two nights ago I was rummaging around to see what I might have on hand to use to throw something together for dinner, and I serendipitously came up with this soup, which the Huz has declared a keeper. I still want to fool around with a few variations of it, but it's on our list of favorites and although I'm very short on time these days, I didn't want to let too much time go by before sharing it with you --- and getting the recipe down before I forget it, of course!

The fact that it contains lentils may limit its audience somewhat, but! If you're not a lentil lover, before you go "Ick!" and leave, let me just mention that it's not like the usual thick lentil soup. You know the kind, somewhat pasty from mashed lentils, thick and a bit grainy. (I actually like that kind, too, but this isn't that!) Rather, it's a thinner soup, with the lentils still intact, tempered with onions and tomato, balanced with Italian sweet sausages, and then smoothed with a bit of cream. If any of that entices you at all, then you can find the full recipe here, on my recipe website.

The orange cast to the broth comes from tomato sauce and turmeric. Turmeric is a strong spice that can be used in moderation in most dishes without compromising the flavor. It is suspected to be one reason that people in India have a very low incidence of Alzheimer's disease. I've been trying to add a tiny bit in most dishes, even my morning blueberry-loaded oatmeal. I'm counting on turmeric and Sudoku to keep my brain from going AWOL as I approach my twilight years!

This is my entry for Weekend Herb Blogging, hosted this weekend at Real Epicurean. If you have a recipe for a yummy dish that has herbs, veggies, flowers, or other plants, then it qualifies for Weekend Herb Blogging and you might want to send scottsinclair AT nerdshack DOT com an email about your post. Or maybe you're just interested in creative delicious food that also delivers a vitamin, mineral and fiber blast of health to your bod ... then just drop by Real Epicurean this weekend to see what our fellow bloggers have dreamt up!