Recipe Index                     Articles                        Subscribe                           Links                         About Me

Back to VeganOccasions Home

Vegan Recipes
for Special Occasions


How to Cook Legumes
How to Cook Legumes
<a href=Tomato Rice Tart" />
Tomato Rice Tart
Black Bean and Fennel Salad
Fennel and Black Bean Salad
Crazy Vegan Black Bean Pizza
Crazy Vegan Black Bean Pizza
Garlic Lover's Tomato Penne
Garlic Lover's Tomato Penne
Orange Ginger Duck
Orange Ginger Duck
Savory Roasted Potatoes
Savory Roasted Potatoes
Spicy Roasted Portabellas
Spicy Roasted Portabellas

Butter Roasted Asparagus
Butter Roasted Asparagus

Vegan Shortbread Cookies
Vegan Shortbread Cookies

Red Lentil Soup

Mediteranean Red Lentil Soup

Red lentils make a fantastic soup that is highly nutritious. This recipe has zero fat and is simple to throw together. You will save money, time, and energy with this large batch and have food on hand to get you through your busy week. Just store it in 2 cup servings in the freezer.

Soup is an appetizing start to a multi-course dinner when entertaining. So have it ready weeks in advance to make your party easy.

The beautiful bright orange colour magically changes to green as the the lentils are cooked.

Red Lentils

Rinse the lentils thoroughly in a rice strainer to remove any debris. The water will be a bit scummy, so you want to keep washing until it is fairly clear. At this point you will notice a sharp bitter smell. Do not fret, there is no hint of this after cooking. Just a wonderful buttery flavour that will warm your innards.

If you intend to use a hand blender to cream the soup once it is cooked you can keep the onions fairly large, and the garlic whole. When the soup is done just blend it right in the pot. Otherwise if you like a chunky soup skip the blending, but mince your garlic and dice the onions first.

(However, I have to recommend blending because it makes a wonderful creamy texture, and the flavours mix together in the most delightful way.)

Add all of the following ingredients except for the salt to a large stock pot.

The Ingredients

With the lid on, bring the mixture to a boil, then stir, replace the lid, and simmer for about thirty minutes or until the vegetable are tender and the lentils have broken down. Add salt and adjust your seasonings. Blend being careful not to burn yourself. Store in 2 cup microwaveable containers in the freezer. Makes about fourteen servings.


About Legumes

Legumes are the perfect food if you are on a budget. They are extremely low cost, and at the same time healthy. Since they are high in protein, low in fat, and have zero cholesterol, they make an excellant substitute for meat. They are also high in folate, magnesium, iron, and potassium.

If you are eating a vegan diet, legumes should be eaten with some form of whole grain to balance the amino acids that make up protein. The grains and legumes do not have to be eaten at the same meal.

For further information please see How to Cook Legumes




back to top of page

Vegan living...

This website is all about making it fun, healthful, and rewarding!

Are you curious about veganism...
about its influence on your health, the animals, and the environment?

Maybe you would like to cut down on meat, or are even considering going vegan one day.

If you are under thirty and living near a city, the odds are good that some of your friends or relatives are vegan. So what do you serve them?

If you are already vegan you know you need some winning menus to serve those who are not, while keeping with your own vegan values.

It is my hope that on this website you will find all the information you need.

About Me

Valentine Cake

Valentine Cake
Chinese Burritos
Chinese Burritos
Veggie Chicken with Tomato Cream Sauce
Veggie Chicken with Tomato Cream Sauce
Chocolate Nanaimo Bars
Chocolate Nanaimo Bars
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies



Recipe Index