Heart Warming Cause and Lentil Soup to Boot.

A few months back I wrote a post about a package I had ordered/received from my girlfriend, Sharon. I hadn't ordered anything from Pampered Chef in a long time so I was thrilled to have some fun new kitchen gadgets. Well, today I received an email with Pampered Chef's new products and I have to say there are a few that really catch my eye. Especially when some of the proceeds in October go toward the fight against breast cancer and can double as holiday gifts. Check out their new products as they'll only be available for a short time. If you need a consultant my girlfriend Sharon would be happy to help you. (Once again she isn't asking me to advertise these products.) I am just thrilled to pass on info for a worthy cause and/or ideas for holiday gifts. If you want to contact Sharon her contact info is 210-788-1291 or email pchefsamorris@msn.com. Now on to the Heart Warming Soup.

Lentil Soup

by Giada De Laurentiis

I love her recipes as they are simple and always bursting with flavor!

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil, plus extra for drizzling

1 Medium onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

1 (141/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 lb. lentils (approximately 1 1/4 cups)

11 Cups low-salt Chicken broth

4-6 fresh thyme sprigs

2/3 Cup dried elbow pasta

1 Cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Heat the oil in a heavy large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery. Add the garlic, salt and pepper and saute until the vegetables are tender, about 5-8 minutes. Add the tomatoes with their juices.

Simmer all until the juices evaporate a little and the tomatoes break down, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Add the lentils and mix to coat.

Add the broth and stir. Add the thyme sprigs. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Cover and simmer over low heat until the lentils are almost tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in pasta. Simmer until the pasta is tender but still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into soup bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan, drizzle with olive oil, and serve.

Buon Appetito!