Lentil Chili

Well, another 'Meatless Monday' has come and gone successfully.  I'm really starting to get the hang of this thing- and I'm happy to report that the boys are adjusting well!

Breakfast: Fruit smoothies
One part fruit, one part orange juice, one part vanilla yogurt (about a quarter cup each) and one banana blended until smooth.

Lunch:  Macaroni and Cheese
Cheap and easy- from the box.  Hey, sometimes you just need simple!

Dinner: Lentil Chili served over baked potatoes
This chili is vegan, unless you add cheese and sour cream as a garnish.  I adapted it from this recipe and served it over baked potatoes, although it would be a filling meal on its own.
Now, I am a big fan of beans.  My favorite by far though, is the lentil.  They are relatively simple to make.  They require little prep- you don't need to soak them like you have to with other dry beans which makes the cook time way faster (they cook in less than an hour).  And they provide a rich meaty texture and taste.  They'll fill you up because they are the second highest source of protein found in veggies, legumes, or nuts (behind only soy)!  They are also rich in fiber, vitamin B1, iron, and folate (source).  You can find them in the grocery store with other dried beans and often times in bulk sections. 

Lentil Chili

Ingredients...

1T extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2T chili powder
1t dry oregano
1/8t cayenne (more or less depending on your spice level)
1 cup brown lentils, washed
1/4c red lentils, washed
56 ounces vegetable broth
8 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 cup sliced green onion (more or less depending on your taste)
6 ounces sliced black olives, drained
12 ounces roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
Optional garnishes: lime slices, shredded cheese, sour cream, more olives and sliced green onion

Directions: 

In a large Dutch oven or stew pot, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onion and sautee until they start to soften.  Add garlic and sautee another minute.  Add chili powder, oregano, and cayenne stirring constantly for another minute or until the spices are fragrant.  Add broth, tomato sauce, and lentils.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.  Cook until lentils are soft (over an hour).  When lentils are soft add green onion, chopped red pepper, and olives and simmer for another 20 minutes.   
Enjoy!

Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil Pesto Crostini

Three weeks of Meatless Monday's down! 

Breakfast: Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Squares

Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Squares by Gingerbread Bagles

While these were tasty, they did not hold up like in the picture.  After cutting them and basically spooning them onto the dish, we topped the oatmeal with some (more) peanut butter and jelly (softened in the microwave for a few seconds so we could drizzle both).  Overall, I was impressed with the simplicity of this dish and with the fact that there wasn't a lot of sugar- making them relatively healthy.

Lunch: left over Tomato soup 
This soup lived up to every expectation I had.  It had a well balanced tomato-y (is that even a word?) flavor that blended seamlessly with the salty Parmesan.  It warmed us up from head to toe and filled our tummys.  I am also pleased to report that the young man (he with hatred of veg) gobbled it all up.  The trick is to make sure you cook it long enough for everything to get soft and then puree it until it's smooth. 
It even re-heated well in the microwave (although I would lean toward re-heating it on the stove if I had the time).

Dinner: Minnestrone soup, green salad, and Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Pesto Crostini

Crostini means ''little toasts'' in Italian.  Typically they are served as appetizers, the most common being bruschetta.  You can top crostini with a large variety of meats, cheeses, or veggies.  This is an easy rustic version.  This made an excellent side to minestrone soup and salad.
PS- it's great the next day too (warmed up in the toaster oven OR cold)!

Tomato, Mozzarella, Basil Pesto Crostini

Ingredients...

1 Loaf crusty bread (I used an Artisnal Roasted Garlic loaf)

Mozzarella cheese (can sub monterey jack), shredded

Sliced tomato

1 teaspoon dry Basil or Italian seasoning

Prepared pizza sauce

Prepared Basil pesto

Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions...

Slice Crusty bread into 1/2 inch thick slices.  Lay out in a single layer on a baking sheet.

Dollop a spoonful of pizza sauce and spread thin.  You don't want a lot of sauce, it'll just make the bread soggy.

Sprinkle dry seasonings. 

Top bread with shredded mozzarella cheese and a thin slice of tomato.

Top with a dollop of prepared Basil Pesto

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Place in a preheated 425 degree oven for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and starts to brown.  

Enjoy as an appetizer or along-side a big bowl of soup!

August- Retrospect

August was a month full of stepping stones here in my little slice of Heaven.

First, I celebrated my 5 year wedding anniversary with the most amazing person I know.  He inspires me, he lifts me up, and embraces all my ADD tendencies with a little bit of grace and a whole lot of humor.  If you told me I would be where I am now, five years ago I never would have believed it.  In that short time we graduated from college, moved across the country twice, change jobs three times, lost some very dear family members, we watched friends get married and saw a 30 year marriage fall apart, we had two beautiful boys, and turned a house into a home.  And those are just the big things.  Everyday we experience something new.  Five years ago I had my ideal that didn't involve half of those things, but each stepping stone we've tread has made us stronger as individuals and as partners.  The only thing I knew five years ago, is that we would still be moving forward, together.

Speaking of this guy... he's also reached a major milestone in August.  One year ago my husband decided that he was going to make a major life change.  He was going to do something that he (and I) never thought he would do.  He took up running.  Now for some this is not really a major thing, but for us this started an absolutely amazing transformation.  My husband made the decision that he wanted to be around long enough to watch his kids grow up, and took matters into his own hands, er feet.  If you'd like to, you can read about it here.  He celebrated his one year ''runniversary'' this month, and is planning on running a marathon in October.  Way to go babe, I am so proud of you!