Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup

I made this soup last Friday. I had one of those cook-up days; muffins, soup and stir fry. Good comfort cooking on a freezing cold day.

I shared my soup on social media, Instagram first, then shared it to Facebook(or Facey, as I like to call it). Endearing isn't it, even though Facey isn't giving us bloggers much love back. I also try to remember to share it to Google+.

I had a conversation with someone a couple of weeks ago about Facebook, they had no idea of my over-sharing tendencies. I didn't flaunt the fact either. You might call it 'not sticking up for myself'. I call it 'I don't like unnecessary confrontation'.

They said they didn't have time for people on FB sharing what they had for dinner. She didn't have time for it.

Fair enough. Each to their own.

I had a similar conversation with a library lady about food blogs in general. She was unbeknown to my blogging tendencies and commented that she found people that shared what they eat, boring.

I do feel kinda bad that I don't stick up for us bloggers in those situations. But if they don't like it, who am I to try convert them. I think I will just come across as some sort of blog pusher. If it's not their thing, it's not their thing.

So I will continue to be boring virtuous, no matter what they think and flaunt my #onemotherhenkitchen exploits, loudly and proudly, as boring to some as it may be. If you are one of those people, fark you(just quietly). I don't like confrontation, remember.

I think I am being inspiring. I inspire people to cook, just simple home cooked stuff, with simple yummy ingredients to make a decent meal. At least that's what I hope someone takes from my boring blogging.

To tell the truth, the more of my recipes I blog, the more I am finding I use my blog as my own personal cookbook.

I have my laptop on the bench top all the time! Unless the kids are using it for Youtube, I find myself googling my own recipes, instead of getting my hand written book of recipes out. Totally convenient. Just maybe when my kids are older they will google one of their mum's recipes too.

Because I am not above using rude words, I am often calling something that tastes good, Yum-ch-arse. If it is extremely good, you will find me licking the plate(only in the comfort of my own home though), however I am totally tempted when out for dinner. If you see me scraping the plate with my knife to get all the flavour off the plate, you can be sure I am attempting to lick the plate with poise.

Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup

1 x 375 gram packet of dry red lentils, rinsed
1 sweet potato, chopped into 2cm cubes(I left the skin on, it's up to you whether you peel it)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 sticks of celery, chopped
1 teaspoon coriander powder
2 coriander roots and stems
1.5 litres of water, or stock

Heat the oil in a large saucepan, fry the onion, garlic, celery, coriander roots and stalks until soft on a medium heat. Add the coriander powder and cook for a minute.

Throw in the lentils, sweet potato and water. Bring to the boil, then simmer, uncovered for 30 minutes.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Blend with a stick blender. Serve.

I have garnished with chilli oil, greek yogurt and flat leaf parsley(you can use coriander if you have it). Yumcharse! :D

As a footnote, this is one of the photos and tips I've shared on Instagram. These are the leftover roots and stems of store bought coriander. I chucked them in the freezer to use in soups and casseroles. Flavour that would have otherwise been chucked in the chook scraps, or in the bin.

Don't say I don't give you the hot tips! ;P

An InLinkz Link-up

Sweet potato pizza

I made this yummy pizza when my sister and her partner were coming for dinner, I cut this up for pre dinner nibbles. Well, they were unfashionably late and by the time they did arrive I'd put the lasagna on the table and we tucked into that. They didn't even touch it! I was a bit annoyed because it tasted bloody good!

Anyway I made it again for my lunch a few days later. I really like it.

Wholemeal pizza dough
7g(two teaspoons) dry yeast 
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 cup warm water
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups wholemeal flour
1 teaspoon salt

Place yeast, sugar and water in a small bowl. Lightly mix with a fork and set aside for 10 minutes until frothy.

Put flour in a large bowl, with the salt. Add the yeast mix and olive oil to the flour and mix with a wooden spoon until dough comes together.

Knead for 5 minutes, then put back into the large bowl, cover with a tea towel and sit in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Knock down the dough with your fist and divide into four portions.

Roll out on a floured surface and place on an oiled tray.

Pizza topping
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and sliced into 5mm thick rounds.
Olive Oil
Poppy seeds
Rosemary leaves and Rosemary flowers(if you have them)
Mixed greens - e.g. rocket, beet leaves, spinach
feta or goats cheese(optional)

Oil a baking tray, place sweet potato rounds in one layer. Loosely cover with foil and bake in a 180C oven for 10 minutes.

Brush some olive oil(I used garlic oil) on the pizza base. Lightly sprinkle poppy seeds and about 1 tablespoon of rosemary leaves.

Lay sweet potato rounds on base and then drizzle with olive oil.

Bake for 15 minutes at 230C.

When cooked, cut into slices and scatter mixed greens over and some cheese if using. Garnish with the rosemary flowers.

Sharing this recipe at Little Wolff blog for Little Veggie Kitchen