Red Lentil Soup with Flat Bread

This is not a pretty meal, unless you have a pretty bowl to put it in. Which I don't. So, I put up the sort of out-of-focus picture to show some color so it would look pretty. But, what it IS, is good. And easy. Two of my favorite things. Oh, and cheap. Bonus!



What you need

2 c. lentil (I used red)
8 c. broth (beef or chicken) (broth from a box or use bouillon cubes)
1 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 Tbs. olive oil
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. paprika
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 tsp lemon juice

Bring the lentils and broth to a boil, cover and simmer 30 minutes on low. Meanwhile, sauté the onion, garlic in the olive oil till golden. Add onion mixture to lentils when done.

After lentils have been going about 15 minutes, add the cumin, paprika salt and pepper.

When it's all done, add the lemon juice.

For the flat bread: you can use any pizza dough recipe you have, or just get the stuff in the freezer.
What you need

1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 Tbs. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp honey
1 cup plus 2 Tbs. warm water
1 package yeast (= 2 1/4 tsp)

Throw it all in your bread maker or stand mixer. When done, form it into an oblong shape, brush with some olive oil and season with salt and pepper, garam masala or Herbs de Provence, or anything, really, that sounds good. Heat your grill pan, grill or broiler to high. If using the grill or pan, lay dough directly on grill and grill for a few minutes each side (make sure you oil and season both sides). If using your broiler, place on a pizza pan with vents or holes in it and watch it like a hawk because it can burn really quickly. Not that I would know anything about that. Ahem.

Cut up the bread, serve it up warm with the soup and add a green salad. Warm and comforting on a fall evening, especially now that it's getting dark around 4:30pm!