Lessons: Following the Recipe, or Not.

A family can teach you a lot about your self, your talents, your weaknesses, and they can reflect those deep spots within you that you choose not to share with anyone else. The family is a powerful unit, and for most of us it can dictate our moral compass and which direction our life will go.

I am happy to say that while my family has always encouraged me to do whatever I wanted, they never told me what to do. There was guidance, sure, and there were times where my mother told me "it" (whatever it may be) wasn't a great idea followed by my father nodding in agreement. But there was never the control that I see so much in families today. It is said that if you love someone you set them free. And the freedom I had growing up has given me the strength to trust myself, love myself, and follow my heart.

I've never been one to follow recipes (or the rules). And if I do, I use them as a guide. I always end up changing something. I think that says a lot about a person. It says they are willing and eager to pave their own way, that they are not afraid to go off course, try something new, make a mistake.

So even if you think your parents are clueless freaks, which I think we all are sometimes, trust that know matter how you were raised there is always something good to be found, that there is beauty in every mistake, and that there is nothing wrong with too much hot sauce in the soup!

Loving Legumes Like... LENTILS!

Don't you all love my alliteration in the title? Lot's of time here at the Concierge desk to be creative. The sun is out today so I have no one to come stare at me and complain they have nothing to do. That means recipe browsing, YouTube watching, and Facebook stalking. Oh yeah!

Anyway, tonight will be the second time this month I'll make an amazing pot of lentil soup. Why? Because it's super cheap, yummy, and satisfying. Even though it's summer, I still like a warm supper. Lunch is almost always a salad, so for dinner I need some sustenance, and protein. And guess what folks? Lentils have just as much protein as animal products and cost 89 cents a bag. You really can't beat that, can you?

So lentil soup has been made since the Bible days... and it's said the Ancient Greeks even made it. Talk about classic. A lot of Americans, I find, really haven't heard of it. For most Italian and Latin households (and in my kitchen), it is a staple.

You'll be surprised how good this simple dish really is.

You need to make this because you're gonna love it!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large onions, cubed
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 3 carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 1/2 cups lentils - soaked, rinsed and drained
• salt & pepper, you know enough to bring out the flavor
• 2 bay leaves
• 7 cups chicken stock, or veg stock
• 1 packet of Sason can Azafran seasoning. (This seasoning will change your life, available everywhere in the ethnic food section.)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping.

Juice of a lemon or two, or you could use white wine, or vinegar. Anything acidic to balance it all out.

Directions

1. In a large stockpot, saute the onions in oil until they are glossy. Stir in garlic, sason, celery, carrots, and saute for 10 minutes.
2. Once the vegetables have sauteed for 10 minutes stir in chicken stock, lentils, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Stir well, then add the lemon juice and bring the mixture to a boil. Slowly reduce the heat and cook for 1 hour on low to medium heat; or until the lentils are tender.
3. Sprinkle the soup with parsley and Parmesan (optional) before serving.