Holistic Chef Eddie's Tip of the Day #12

Today let's talk about lentils as a source of protein.  Because your body is made up of 20% protein and doesn't store protein, it's important to get enough from your diet each day.  Many people think that the only way to get enough protein for your body is ingesting animal products.  Untrue!!!  Legumes and vegetables are excellent sources of protein.  For instance, 1 chicken breast (6 oz.) has 54 grams of protein and 6 oz. of Black Lentils has about 48 - 52 oz. of protein.  I'm not advising you to give up your favorite animal products if you're a carnivore, and I know you won't eat a whole pot of soup at once to get the 6 oz. of protein from lentils.  All I'm saying is that in the soup I'm featuring today, there is so much protein in the broth, the lentils and the vegetables.  The use of Black Lentils is important since they hold their shape better when cooked soft and don't get mushy like brown, green and orange lentils.  This is one of my favorite soups and great all year round. 

FRENCH LENTIL MUSHROOM SOUP
1 cup Black French Lentils 
1 medium sweet Onion, chopped
3 Carrots, sliced 1/4 inch
3 stalks of Celery, sliced 1/2 inch
3 cloves Garlic, minced
2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil or Coconut Oil
2 teaspoons fresh Thyme or 1 teaspoon dried 
1 fresh Bay Leaf or 1 dried
8 ounces sliced Button or Bella Mushrooms
1/2 cup dry Chardonnay
2 Tablespoons Braggs Liquid Amino (or to taste)
4 cups Vegetable or Chicken Broth

1)  Over medium heat, add the oil to the soup pot.  Add the Onion, Carrots, Celery, Thyme and Bay leaf.  Stir until all the veggies and herbs are coated evenly with oil.  Turn the heat to simmer, cover the pot and let the veggies sweat out their juices and combine with the oil for at least 10 minutes.
2)  Add the Garlic and stir into the mixture for 30 seconds.  Add the Mushrooms, Wine, Braggs and Vegetable or Chicken Broth.  Season with Salt and Pepper to taste.  Bring the soup to a boil and lower to simmer.  
3)  Cook on simmer for 45 minutes until the lentils are soft and firm.  Adjust the seasonings again and serve this hardy soup.  Sooooo good!!!!!