This Week in Preschool: Lentil Pea Soup

We are starting preschool in our home. No, not outside-of-our-home classes, but rather inside-our-house-with-Mommy lessons.

Today we are going to make soup, lentil pea soup that is. Admittedly, my children are not extremely fond of these legumes. But in this part of the prairies, we grow lentils and peas, amongst other things. And in the county of my ethnicity, we eat a lot of this source of complex carbohydrates, folic acid, and vegetable protein (or dal). Two good reasons to adopt more dal into my repertoire of cooking!

Thus, our soup journey started with a trip to the Bulk Barn (my new favourite store). We perused the aisles, rushed past the candy (or I did), and lingered in the health food section. We collected little bags of yellow and green split peas to add to our lentils at home.

Today we will attempt this recipe*:

1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 large onion, diced
1 stalk of celery, sliced
1 medium carrot, diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1.5 cups can diced tomatoes
1.5 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup of each: red lentils, green lentils, yellow split peas, green split peas
1 tsp salt, or more to taste
pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
  • Night before, wash and drain lentils and peas. Place in a medium bowl and cover with water. Soak overnight on counter.
  • In a large pot, heat oil; add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic. Cook over medium heat until onion is translucent.
  • Stir in cumin and cook until aromatic, about 1 minute.
  • Drain lentils and peas.
  • Transfer mixture to slower cooker and stir in tomatoes, broth, and lentil/pea mixture. Cook on high for 3 - 4 hours (6 - 8 hours on low), or until lentils and peas are tender.
  • Add salt, pepper, and lemon juice before serving.
  • Serve with a hearty multi-grain bread or toasted naan bread.
Hopefully my kids will like it!

Other Variations: (1) Not a fan of split peas? Omit the peas and substitute with another kind of lentil or more red and/or green lentils. (2) Want more of a meaty flavour? Add 1/2 cup chopped sausage to the slow cooker for a unique taste. You might need to cut down on the amount of salt you add before serving.

Another Activity: Have your preschooler make patterns with white glue on construction paper. Sprinkle different colored lentils to make a design.

Stay Tuned: Join me this Friday at Our Journey Home for my monthly contribution to Family Friday. Hope to see you there! The theme is Green Living for the month of September.

*Recipe is adapted from Curried Lentil Soup in Grandma's Soups & Salads with Biscuits & Breads (2004) by Irene Hrechuk &Verna Zasada.

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