The Cooking Depot to be featured on the Texas Country Reporter
January 17, 2011 – Wow! Exciting news!! I just found out that The Cooking Depot in Cuero is going to be featured on the Texas Country Reporter television show! The production crew will be in Cuero on Wednesday to tape the segment. We’re presenting a cooking class, and I will be teaching, as well as my good friend, Dorothy Huang – The Queen of Chinese Cuisine!! It will be a sort of East meets West event!! I’m very excited to be included, and so thrilled for the publicity it will be for my friends, Annette and Erwin Rath, who own the shop. The show will air in February. To check the time and station the program is offered in your area, go to Texas Country Reporter web site, http://www.texascountryreporter.com/show_time.htm.
Since it’s a little chilly and damp outside, I think I’ll make a hearty soup for tonight’s dinner. It will be the perfect dish for Kevin to reheat while I’m out of town for the taping! It is sooo yummy – especially if you accompany it with a hot piece of cornbread!
Lentil Soup with Smoked Sausage
Serves 8
6 Cups Chicken or vegetable broth, or water
1 lb. Lentils, rinsed
½ tsp Dried thyme leaves
1 Bay leaf (optional)
2 Tbsp Oil
1 Medium Onion, chopped
2 Cloves Garlic, minced
2 Medium Carrots, peeled and diced
2 Stalks Celery, diced
1 Medium Red or Green bell pepper, diced
1 lb. Smoked sausage (kielbasa) sliced into ½ -inch thick slices, or diced ham
2 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar or Worcestershire sauce
6 oz Fresh spinach, chopped
Salt and pepper
In a large saucepan bring the chicken broth to a boil. Add lentils, thyme, and the bay leaf. Reduce the heat, cover the pan, and simmer for about 25 minutes. While the lentils are cooking, heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion, garlic, carrots, celery, bell pepper, and sausage. Cook until the vegetables begin to get tender, about 7-8 minutes. Stir often. Add the vinegar and remove from the heat. Add this mixture to the lentils, stir in the spinach, and cook about 10 more minutes. Add more broth or water if desired.
This meal is a great source of vitamins, protein, fiber, and vegetables! It re-heats easily in the microwave! If you would like it to be spicy, you can add 1 small jalapeno, minced.
Enjoy!
Molly
