Beef Barley Soup (Review)

I used the recipe from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook to make this soup. The recipe was easy to follow and cooking time was fairly accurate. I followed the barley cooking instructions from the package instead of the ones in the cookbook because I thought that would ensure the barley was cooked. The recipe as written provided us with 2 dinners for 2 people and 1 lunch for 1 person. I would increase the salt and pepper because we both needed to add it after tasting the soup.

Changes for next time:

Adding the diced tomatoes was weird to me, and it didn’t add anything so I would not include them next time.

I don’t think both potatoes and barely were needed in this soup, so I would go with one or the other. When I make this recipe again I would not add the potatoes and would instead replace them with parsnips and more vegetables.

Meal Plan March 20-26

I try to take a week each month where I don't buy groceries, or just buy some fresh fruit and vegetables, and "clean out" my cupboards and freezer. I don't have much planned for lunches this week because I'm going to be taking leftovers and any single portion freezer meals I have - lentil chili, lentils with veggies and rice, taco salad.

Lentil Chili

Lentil Chili

Makes 5 servings

Total time 1 hour – 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup dry lentils

1 cup dry kidney beans, cooked OR 1 can kidney beans

1 28oz can diced tomatoes

water

½ medium onion, diced

1 cup diced peppers

1 cup greens – spinach or kale

1 packet chili seasoning OR homemade chili seasoning

1 cup frozen corn OR 1 can corn

1. Cook onions, peppers and greens over medium heat until soft and onions are clear

2. Add undrained diced tomatoes and half a tomato can of water. Add lentils, kidney beans, frozen corn and chili seasoning.

3. Cook on low-medium heat for about an hour or until lentils are done, adding water as needed.

4. Serve with your favourite chili toppings – cheese, sour cream, avocado, nacho chips, green onions

I prefer to make my own chili seasoning. I usually Google homemade chili seasoning and make whichever one that comes up first that I have all the spices for.

Meal Plan March 13-19

Lentils with vegetables and tomato sauce

2-3 cloves garlic
1/2 onion
2-3 cups mixed vegetables
1 cup lentils
1 can diced tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste

Cook garlic and onions in olive oil over medium heat.
Add diced tomatoes and lentils.
Cook lentils with diced tomatoes according to package directions (30 minutes - 1 hour). Add water as needed.
Add vegetables with about 10 minutes left in cooking of lentils.
Serve over rice.
Best served with fresh ground pepper and a dash of parmesan cheese.

Meal Plan March 6-12

Better late than never

Cranberry Cinnamon Oatmeal

1/3 cup oats

1 tsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 cup dried cranberries

Mix oats with sugar and spices. Cook according to package directions. Top with dried cranberries. Works well with 1 tbsp chia seeds