Monday’s split pea soup was really good, but I had forgotten that we favored the addition of lentils to this fabulous lunch dish. So yesterday I soaked up some plain lentils, using my famous Nissan-Thermos vacuum bottle method to pre-cook the lentils.
When we arrived home – hungry, of course – it was a simple task to reheat the split pea soup and add the pre-cooked lentils. In the time it took DH to bring in the groceries, the soup was ready and waiting for us to enjoy.
I toasted up some tomato focaccia and put a slice of pepper jack cheese on it to melt. At the table, we added luscious tomato slices, and avocado wedges with lemon on everything! DH added his usual Tabasco sauce to the soup – you can take the boy out of Louisiana, but . . .
The fresh strawberries were still on the counter, so there was no denying a bowl of their goodness as a reward for bucking the tremendous headwinds on our grocery run.
Have you ever tried balsamic vinegar on fruits? We have a variety of flavors, but this is just the traditional variety on these strawberries. I added a small dollop of sour cream, topped that with some shredded unsweetened coconut, and then some of my homemade granola. Heavenly!
Adventures of Dorrie Anne 
There was a time I used lentils fairly often, but for some reason I don’t think i’d bother with them now. Cooking for one changes things a bit. They look pretty with the peas.
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Lentils are cheap, keep well (raw and cooked), nutritious, easy to fix and add body and substance to a lot of dishes. Just lentils and rice with whatever leftover vegetables you have around will provide a completely rounded meal, especially if you use brown rice. Add a bit of meat or cheese to assure some animal protein, and you are good to go.
I am very pleased with the Nissan-Thermos vacuum bottle method of soaking/cooking so many legumes and grains. No watching the pot!
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I never thought of adding sour cream. Delicious and creative! 🙂
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The coconut gave it a lift, too.
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Balsamic vinegar works great with strawberries. I also add a sprinkle of freshly ground 4 pepper mix on top. Yummy! 🙂
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I’ve heard of the pepper thing, but have never actually tried it.
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I find it adds a lot. Not too much of it, though! 🙂
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I’ll be careful! Thanks for the hint! ;->
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Ha ha you can’t take Louisiana out of him. I have never tried balsamic vinegar on fruits. The fruit looks very appetizing, and overall, this was a very healthy meal. Full of everything recommended. I love the way you eat and the photos are awesome!
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What a yummy-looking dinner! We had lentil soup this week too. I would never have added balsamic vinegar to strawberries–it sounds delish!
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That was our lunch. Gary just loves soup, so we have it often. We eat a lot of chicken, so there is always bone broth available for soups.
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