Old post alert! This was written a few weeks ago, but somehow got lost & forgotten in the wordpress queue. Still figured I’d share…
Scraps!
Red lentils, broccoli stalk, carrots, celery, butternut squash soup (and unpictured TVP).
Doesn’t look like much huh. Unless you have a crock pot and a bunch of spices.
Oh really swan!?!??
Once again this is proof that crock pots love lentils and everything (even crappy messed up bread) tastes good when you make it in the slow cooker.
Too bad crock pots don’t photograph nearly as well.
I made this for Kyle because I was going to be out of the house during dinner time (I was getting a massage). I had mini meals before and after, but this lentil soup was all for Kyle.
Kyle looooooves lentil soup. He will order it any time he sees it on the menu. My lentil loaf and lentil soups are some of his favorite meals. So I knew he’d like this one, even though it was put together with random odds and ends.
I don’t have a recipe because I didn’t think anyone would want to re-create this. It’s pretty much the things I listed above cooked in a combo of water and butternut squash soup with a few glugs of olive oil and lots of TJ’s 21 seasoning salute.
Thanks to the lentils and TVP, it was protein packed, but there wasn’t much in the way of carbohydrates, so I told him to have some bread with butter on the side. It was that or make some brown rice, but I was lazy.
Promise me from now on you’ll stop throwing away broccoli stalks and use them in soup instead.
That’s a great idea.
I usually either make broth with my veggie scraps or if I’m too lazy to do that, I compost them.
Perfect! I never know what to do with those stupid broccoli butts. I also HATE in the frozen bags of broccoli that I sometimes buy, when almost the entirety of the bag is the stalks… barely ANY florets. SUCH a pet peeve. I feel like I’m being ripped off!
I always shred them in the food processor and make broccoli slaw with them (craisins, apple cider vinegar, vegennaise, water chestnuts, almonds, etc.). But this is another great idea!
That is a good idea to add them to soups. I love lentils in soups or mixed with eggs.
Still trying to figure out TVP….purchased some, but have no idea how much would be an appropriate amount to add. Any suggestions? Is TVP the same type of thing found in the VEGA products–pea protein?
Good idea! But Aren’t lentils carbohydrates?? They are loaded with protein and good for you carbs 🙂
lentils have all 3 macronutrients, but are mostly protein and carbohydrate.
When I cut out sugar a few years ago broccoli stalks were one of the first things to surprise me with their natural sweetness. I peel or chop off the tough fibrous part on the exterior and cut it into sticks. I dip them in hummus, raw pate, almond butter, or some other sauce I have on hand. They make a great snack!
Just wanted to chime in with what I do with broccoli stems! I have a 13 year old golden retriever (who still acts half her age) and LOVES broccoli stems… Or as we call them, “broccoli bones.” She loves all veggies (and lots of scraps, like carrot and potato peelings, tomato tops, apple cores, etc), but her favorite is actually kale stems. She can smell it as soon as I start washing and cutting it, and goes nuts waiting for her “treats.” I think she’s still so healthy because of her high consumption of fruit and veggies!
Nice idea for the broccoli stems, I usually juice them.
I just always buy the crowns. 😉
The broccoli stalks are also great in a stir fry. I first had them at a friends house and loved them. I didn’t even realize what veggie they were because they tasted so different from the florets. I also have to say that I’m so envious they Kyle loves lentil soup. My husband really dislikes lentils and I love them, so it’s a bummer for me.
Creative! Amazing recipe.
My dogs are like that with carrots! 🙂
I need to remember to try this with my broccoli stems. I never think to make something with them when I cut up the florets until it’s too late. Then I just compost them or throw them in my pot of veggie broth I make from all my scraps.
brocolli stalks are great!