Sunday, February 17, 2008

winter scene with lentil soup

I hadn't talked to Isabel for more than a year, but when she called the other day and asked if she could visit this weekend, I was thrilled. Before she came, I bought a new shower curtain for the guest bathroom and found a very old and rusted can of paint in the basement so I could touch up a couple of smudgy spots on the wall. Then I made lentil soup.

I had practically begged Beck, whose culinary skills are the toast of several continents, to give me a recipe and I found this one on her recipe blog, though I'm sure she has others. I substituted tofu "breakfast links" for the sausage and carrots for the spinach and (because I was too lazy to go to the store) used a tiny little can of tomato paste instead of the recommended large can of diced tomatoes. When the soup was almost done, I added half a handful of dried thyme. Then I lit a candle and cut slices from a loaf of French bread, scattering crumbs all over the floor, and Isabel and I sat in the kitchen eating bowls of lentil soups and talking about the way the ice in the backyard shimmered palely in the darkness of the late afternoon.

18 comments:

thirtysomething said...

Such a cozy time. I adore lentil soup and that recipe sounds wonderful!

Julia said...

Cozy is also the word I was going to use. Especially with the candle.
We had chicken broth last nigh. I think I will turn some of it into squash soup today.

moplans said...

Mmmmm
I read this post and Beck's and dream that I will one day be the kind of person who will actually cook something instead of ordering takeout.

c. said...

Sounds like a very comfortable reunion of sorts.

the dragonfly said...

Sounds wonderful! I like cozy times like that. (Yes, everyone else used that word too, but cozy is just right!)

EmmaL said...

I agree, cozy is exactly right. This sounds really nice and I hope you had a wonderful time with your friend.

meg said...

That sounds like a perfect evening to me. And the soup sounds delicious.

Lori Lavender Luz said...

My mouth is watering.

I love a good lentil soup.

Amy said...

Sounds very warm and inviting, the soup doesn't sound bad either.

Suz said...

Lentil soup and connecting with an old friend seem to just go together.

thrice said...

Why do I feel as if I tasted the soup? Like in a dream or something. :-)

missing_one said...

yum. I'll have to try this (with your vegetarian substitutions!)

Caro said...

I love home made soup.

Unknown said...

And not even one photo of the lentil soup or the candle? Niobe, how can you do this?

Sounds like a very good afternoon.

Anonymous said...

I'm always disappointed when your posts don't have a picture, but it turns out this one did, after all.

painted maypole said...

sounds like a perfect day!

Amelie said...

mmh. Sounds wonderful.

allypally said...

I need a visit from an Isabel! Glad you find such comfy places to be.