soup as a healthy afternoon snack

My daughter could eat this everyday after school for a snack...I'm working on Patrick.

A red and yellow pepper, seeds removed and cut into medium dice, carrots, zucchini and summer squash, cut the same size as the peppers, white and light green part of two leeks and one yellow onion, diced.

One shallot and 2 to 3 cloves garlic, small dice.  2 to 3 cans of cannellini beans and garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed.

Saute the onions, leeks, shallots and garlic until soft and then add the rest of the vegetables.  Season with salt and pepper and add the chili powder and red pepper flakes, (if using).  After about 7 minutes add 4 cups of vegetable stock and the lentils and simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes.  Then add  the beans and cook for a few more minutes until everything is tender. 

When we started making this soup the sun was shining...the clouds rolled in..it .started to rain and now it's looking like the perfect night for soup.  It makes a lot so there will be plenty left for after school snacks.

Trader Joe's + Lentils

 My sister was telling me about this salad she made with French green lentils, but by the time I stopped at Trader Joe's I knew there was no way I was going to make it to actually cooking green lentils and then tossing together a salad.  I'm trying to make healthier choices all day long so when I saw Trader Joe's steamed lentils...I knew this was the short cut I needed to stop me from veering off the healthy eating trail.  I still had to chop a few things, but the steamed lentils ready to eat right out of the package was just what I needed.  I did warm them, but that only took three minutes in the microwave.

Shallots, carrot, yellow bell pepper, fresh parsley and arugula.

I sauteed the thinly sliced shallots in a little olive oil until soft and then added my diced carrot and bell pepper.  Season with salt and pepper.

Cook until all the vegetables are tender and add them to the lentils.  Add the parsley,  arugula,  a little more olive oil and a splash of balsamic.  Toss together and then add a small amount of crumbled goat cheese.  I freeze my goat cheese for a couple of minutes, then crumble it into the salad and toss gently.  This way the cheese does not melt too quickly.

Enjoy!

Available at Trader Joe's for $2.99. 

                                                     Linking up with:  Savvy Southern Style