whatever is in the pantry

Our little family is leaving for a vacation in Hilton Head this Friday (which we are anticipating with much excitement!), so I have been trying to buy as few of groceries as possible this week and emptying out the fridge, pantry and freezer.  Although this limits my options greatly, I find it a very fun challenge to see what I can create without going to the grocery store.

What I often end up making in these situations is soup!  It's so flexible and the combinations of spices, veggies, beans, grains, etc. you can use are endless.  Plus, it lasts for several meals, making life that much easier.  

I ended up really enjoying the combination I made below and ate mine with vinegar and hot sauce... hum, that probably doesn't sound appealing to very many people - maybe just my family as we grew up putting vinegar and hot sauce on ham and bean soup.  It does kind of sound odd as I write that, but I promise it's tasty!

lentil, white bean & broccoli soup

Ingredients:

1 medium onion chopped

2 cloves garlic minced

4 small or 3 large carrots peeled and chopped

2 bay leaves

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1/2 tsp paprika

2 tsp italian seasoning

freshly ground black pepper

1/3 c. farro (or barley)

4 c. chicken broth

1 c. red lentils

2 c. frozen broccoli

1 can white beans undrained

Instructions:

Combine the first 3 ingredients with 1 T. olive oil, bay leaves, and seasonings.  Saute on medium heat 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add farro and cook another 3 minutes.  Add the lentils and 3 c. chicken broth.  Cover and bring to boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20-30 minutes, or until the lentils and farro are almost completely cooked, adding more broth if needed.  Add broccoli and simmer until broccoli is heated through.  Add white beans and remaining broth until desired consistency.  If soup is still too thick, add some water.

disclaimer:  I do not measure seasonings when I cook and I need to start doing so if I am going to be posting recipes!  I add a little of this, little of that until I like the taste.  Always season your food as you like - you may want more or less than what I use in my recipes.