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I was excited tonight when I discovered a website called Is My Blog Burning?. It is a blog that tracks food events from across the world. Each month, blogs sponsor food-challenges and later compile all of the results and feedback that they receive. It is inspiring and exciting - sort of like a reality show in my own kitchen!

One post caught my attention, particularly since it relates to a delicious soup that I prepared for our family last night. My Legume Love Affair encourages us to prepare a legume recipe between now and February 9. In case you need a reminder, legumes include: chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans, and lima beans (as well as countless other varieties). They are very inexpensive and most are readily available at your neighborhood grocery store.

My husband loved the soup I made last night, so here goes:

Sweet Lentil Soup

2 sweet potatoes
2 stalks celery
1 small onion
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 to 1.5 cups lentils, picked over and rinsed
1 quart chicken or vegetable broth
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. coriander
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

1. Cut sweet potatoes into small cubes (1/2 inches, or so)
2. Dice celery and onion
3. Sautee sweet potato, onion and celery for 5 minutes. Add spices and salt.
4. Add lentils
5. Add broth. Bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer for about 40 minutes or until lentils are cooked through. Taste and adjust seasoning.

I hope you enjoy this soup as much as we did!

I can’t wait to try my next challenge…making something using these seasonal ingredients: pears, lemons and nuts! I think I already have an idea… check back and see!

(Legume photo from fotosearch.com)