A February 2012 Recipe of the Month

These healthy recipes are just waiting to be incorporated into your cooking plans. All of these ideas are tasty and filled with good nutrition.

Lentil Tomato Soup (Serves 6)

This immune boosting soup is a great way to warm up a cold winter day. Lentils are sometimes forgotten as a great high fiber ingredient.

4 and 1/2 cups water
4 medium carrots, sliced or diced
1 medium onion, chopped
2/3 cup dried lentils
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dill weed
1/4 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper

1. In a large saucepan, combine the water, carrots, onion and lentils; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until vegetables and lentils are tender.

2. Stir in tomato paste, parsley, brown sugar, vinegar, garlic salt, thyme, dill weed, tarragon and pepper. Return ingredients to a boil.

3. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.