How Low Will We Go?

One of our local evening news programs has a new series titled something like "How to Survive in a Recession" but it is more oriented to mass starvation and total anarchy. Last night they highlighted a woman who can make leftovers into all sorts of soup. The low point was when she demonstrated how to add chicken broth to lasagne for a great "noodle soup". She also added some salad greens to the soup for extra nutrition. I am not sure I want to ever reach the point where I add chicken broth to about anything. Wouldn't the lasagne be better just heated in the microwave with a little side salad? I think my next purchase will be a shovel so I can dig a hole in the backyard to live in.

Here's my favorite lentil soup recipe:

1 lb stew meat (or ham)

small onion chopped

2 ribs of celery, chopped

4 cups chicken broth

1 lb lentils (rinsed)

1 can tomatoes (can use the basil and olive oil or plain)

1 tsp of Italian herbs (basil, oregano)

Salt/Pepper to taste

Parsley (optional)

Brown the stew meat, onion and celery. Add the chicken broth and slowly simmer the meat for an hour or more. (If using leftover ham, you can skip the simmering of the meat). Add the lentils, tomatoes and herbs to taste. Simmer for 30 - 45 minutes until the lentils are done. Add a handful of chopped parsley and stir. Ready to serve with a nice crusty loaf of bread.