December Sun - A Beautiful Day

Isaac saying "cheese".

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Dining With Dinosaurs

Friday and Lots of Lentils

Our Friday meal this week is a recipe from Vive Le Vegan by Dreena Burton. 

Earthy Lentil Soup

• 2 TBSP olive oil
• 1 onion
• 3-4 stalks celery, diced
• 2 large carrots, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried savory
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 2C brown lentils, rinsed
• 2C stock
• 6-7C water
• 1-2 TBSP tamari or soy sauce
• 3 TBSP blackstrap molasses
• 2-3 bay leaves

 There are a couple or more members of the family who are picky about onions, so I find it easy to puree onions along with the garlic (no mincing!). I pureed the onions and garlic first, then added the carrot and celery, pulsing until those were roughly chopped.

 Whenever I'm chopping raw veggies in the processor it is very simple to clean. It just needs a rinse, so it's very convenient and doesn't really add more mess.

 Heat oil over medium heat, add veggies and spices, stir and cover. Cook a few minutes, stirring occasionally.

 Add lentils, water, stock, tamari or soy sauce, molasses, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, cover and lower heat to medium-low. Cook about an hour until lentils are soft.

 Serve with rice (or bread or croutons and cheese, whatever you like. Also yummy served with fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.)

 Originally I was going to double the soup recipe and freeze half, but it turned out that my biggest pot isn't large enough to fit 2 batches of the soup, so I took the other half of the lentils and decided to make meatless taco/enchilada filling.

 Cooked lentils plus a couple cans diced tomatoes and diced green chiles, chili powder, paprika, oregano, cumin, and salt.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

 "... Blessed be the great mother of God, Mary most holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception..."

After Mass we enjoyed a white meal in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Immaculate Conception. Milk, creamy chicken over white rice, cauliflower, and cheesecake.

Feast of Saint Nicholas

God,
Who didst grace the Blessed Nicholas
as protector of imperiled innocence whilst he lived,
and after his death by countless miracles,
grant that by his merits
we may be freed from perversion of justice while alive
and from the fires of Gehenna after death. Amen.

Let your continual mercy, O Lord,
enkindle in your Church the never failing gift of charity
that, following your example of your servant Nicholas of Myra

and aided by his prayers,
we may have grace to deal in generosity and love with children
and all who are poor and distressed,
and to uphold the cause of those who have no help;
for the sake of him who gave his life for us,
your son our Savior Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God now and for ever. Amen.

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 Feast of Saint Nicholas: Planning Page

Advent in our little Ecclesia Domestica