Lentil orzo soup: soul food at the Bees

In case you wondering what I'm going to do with all that orzo...
Here tis, from Indian Home Cooking by Suvir Saran and Stephanie Lyness. I was intrigued, partly because I don't have any of the spices called for in the other recipes in the book, and partly because he calls it his "chicken soup for the soul." Right he is.


Put 12 cups water to boil.

Start 1/4 cup oil heating in your $12 cast iron pan. Thank heavens your mother taught you about cast iron pans.

Meanwhile chop two medium onions pretty finely. Add to oil.


When water boils, add two cups French green lentils and one tablespoon of salt.

Gaze lovingly at Le Creuset soup pot. Feel unworthy.

Wonder what Suvir Saran looks like. Google and find out.


Cook onions until very dark brown but not burned, about 20 minutes. Stir every few minutes and constantly at the end to avoid burning.


Vow to post more often on blog.

Gaze at sleeping baby.


Wonder how people who photograph their food all the time possibly have the patience and dexterity, not to mention the natural light.

Get ready for most exciting part of the whole thing.

When onions are done, the lentils should be mostly cooked. Put one cup of the lentil mixture into onion pan (I use a little more than a cup, I think. More sizzle). Stand back! Watch the sizzle!

Cook most of water off the onion mixture, stirring occasionally.


When onion stuff is a nice gooey mess, not watery anymore, add to lentils. Begin salivating.

Add 1/2 cup orzo, in flagrant disregard to recipe, which calls for 1/4 cup. Feel a little guilty. Do anyway.



Cook on medium heat until lentils and orzo are cooked through, about ten more minutes.

Stare at sleeping baby some more.
Take vitamins.

When lentils and orzo are cooked through, remove from heat. Let stand 4-6 hours for soup to "thicken."


Reheat to serve. If normal person, follow recipe and serve with lemon juice, lemon wedge, and parsley for garnish.

If at my house, get yourself a big bowl, add some lemon if we have it lying around, skip it otherwise. Dig right on in. Chair optional.


Eat.
Forget to take food porn shot of finished product.
Feel broken heart mend.
Restore faith in human spirit.
Feel like good mother when baby recognizes soup, says "mmmmmmm," and eats whole bowl.
Repeat last five steps as needed.