November

[batboy126]

By decree of ashmedai November is recipe month. This is an easy soup recipe I found in a book somewhere. I make it vegan, but it could be made with chicken broth.

Emerald Buddha Soup

2/3 cup dried pinto or kidney beans                 6 cloves garlic, minced                                
2 cups chopped onion                                      1/2 tsp ground turmeric
1 Tbsp olive oil                                                  1/8 tsp cumin
5 cups broth                                                      15 oz can chick peas, drained
2/3 cup green lentils                                          4 cups spinach
2/3 cup barley                                                   salt & pepper

Rinse dried beans. Place in a large saucepan with 4 cups of water. Cover & let stand overnight, or boil & leave to stand 1 hour.
Drain beans. Add 4 cups fresh water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Cover & simmer 1.5 hours. Add 1 tsp salt, cook 30 minutes more.
In a Dutch oven, cook onions in hot oil until golden. Add broth, lentils, barley, garlic, turmeric, & cumin. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 1.5 hours. 
Stir in chick peas, 1 tsp salt, pepper. Cover & cook 30 minutes more.
Stir pinto bean mixture into lentil mixture. Cool slightly. Add spinach at the last minute to just wilt.
Add additional water if necessary. Serve plain or with pesto.
Makes 8 servings.