Mood-Boosting Split Pea Lentil Soup Recipe

Split Pea Lentil Soup

Ingredients

6–8 c. of liquid (bone, chicken, or vegetable broth)
1 c. dried green organic split peas, soaked and rinsed
1 cup of organic red lentils, rinsed
1 c. thickly sliced carrots
1 c. thickly sliced celery
1 medium onion, sliced
2 c. chopped kale
2 cloves garlic, optional
4 organic sausages sliced into 1-inch rounds (for a vegetarian soup, substitute frozen, thawed tofu*)
Pinch of cayenne pepper

*Tofu has a wonderful consistency when it is frozen and thawed. It is like a sponge that absorbs flavors. Freeze tofu, let thaw, and gently press out the excess water— then cube and use as desired in soups and stir-fries.

Directions

1. Soak the split peas and the lentils in warm water overnight before cooking in order to reduce the phytates, which inhibit absorption of minerals.
2. After soaking, rinse and add the liquid to the broth. Place the soaked peas in the Crock-Pot with 8 cups of broth (as a general rule, use 3 cups of water to each cup of dried lentils or peas). Cook on low heat for 3 hours or until peas are soft.
3. Add all the vegetables and sausage (or tofu) and cook for another 1–2 hours.
4. Add some salt and crushed rosemary or thyme when the soup is done, top with a little cayenne pepper for some pizzazz and let sit until ready to eat.

Other Good Mood-Boosting Recipes

Calm the Nervous System: Repose Broth Recip

Lemon Chicken Elation