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The Healthy $1 Menu: Peasant Lentil & Kale Soup

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My computer crashed when loading all of my pretty pictures of this soup. Therefore, you only get a boring picture of dry lentils. Sorry!
This simple “peasant” soup is packed full of lentils, rice, kale, and simple flavorings to make a yummy and easy soup that costs less than a dollar per serving. It was the perfect warming lunch for us twice this last week! Joel has been taking the leftovers with him to school/work in a thermo. Yummy!

I have a whole list of meal ideas for this new series, but when I threw together this simple soup and realized how frugal it was, I couldn’t help share it!

I didn’t spare quality at all in this dish, using organic everything. It would be even a lot more inexpensive if you, for example, didn’t use organic vinegar (which cost a whole 76 cents to use), or if you got the kale for cheaper. I’ve said it here before, but I don’t try to eat a king’s diet on a peasant’s budget, because if I were to try, I would end up buying poor quality food. Instead I try to concentrate on frugal and nourishing peasant food. This is an example of high quality peasant food!

Here’s the cost analysis:

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Weekend Pasta Feast

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On a slow Saturday afternoon, I rolled out some fresh, soaked whole wheat pasta, and then, while Joel grilled some veggies, I made a simple and yummy sauce featuring tomatoes, parsley, chicken broth, white wine, and mild Italian sausage. I cut up the grilled veggies, cooked up the fresh pasta, and then tossed it all together. The result was delightful. Definitely a little more time and work then my normal dinner plans, but so worth it for a nice weekend dinner with extended family. I will share a simpler version of this pasta sauce soon.

I think that there is something so right about Italian food and family get togethers! There is nothing like a huge bowl of pasta in front of hungry family members for good family time.

Despite the fact that this dish has it’s root’s squarely in Italy, there was something about the play of sweetness from the wine, the veggies and the garlic spears that reminded us of Yakisoba! Well, whatever it tasted like, it was good!
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Simple Lentil Salad

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Graced with basil, red pepper and cucumber, a simple lentil salad is tossed with a vinaigrette. A perfect light dish for a hot afternoon.

Today I have so much to do (partly for my class tonight) I will be brief here. But does anyone have any good natural tips for keeping bugs from eating all of my herbs and plants up? My poor basil is a skeleton now. Good thing I made this salad before they completely ate it all up!

I used french green lentils in this recipe, which works so well for salads as they keep their shape very well.

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Basil Potato Salad

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I used red and purple potatoes in this dish for a beautiful color contrast.  Purple potatoes are stunning.  While the potatoes are still warm, a simple and tasty vinaigrette is poured over to allow the flavors to permeate the potatoes. Right before serving fresh basil is torn into the salad. This salad seems a lot more light and refreshing compared to a mayo based potato salad. A simple and delicious salad that is just perfect for a hot day!

It has been very hot around here the last few days, so eating hot meals has not been appealing. Yesterday, when I woke up to an already hot day, I decided to put together this potato salad to chill for lunch. I cooked the potatoes in the cooler morning, and by noon, when the heat was more oppressive, we had a delicious potato salad to eat. Just perfect for a hot day.

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