I’ve recently decided that it was time to clean out my entire refrigerator… top to bottom. When I was making room for Thanksgiving Day things, I noticed I had very wisely packed away one person size portions of beef, chicken, lentils, and other things in the freezer. Unfortunately, my preparation for those “rainy” days never got used because whenever I crave something, I’m running out the door and to the store. So… to make use of those “rainy” day provisions, I’ve been making a lot of soup and stew with those little squirreled away packets of food.

Soups and stews are easy… for the most part all you need is a little protein, some vegetables, spices and herbs, and a little water.

Today I made a beef soup with ribbons of kale, a handful of fresh herbs out of the crisper, and some green French lentils. It’s not much of a recipe but here it goes.

Something for the Snow Soup (Kaprise refrigerator clean out recipe)

1. Cube a portion of beef or any protein. I used 8 ounces of sirloin steak.
2. Toss lightly in flour
3. In a heavy bottomed skillet (I use my Le Creuset for this) and over high heat, sear the cubes of beef until crisp in olive oil.
4. Toss in a crushed clove of garlic and stir
5. Pour in about 1/4 of a cup of wine (and drink some too)
6. Add 1 cup of crushed tomatoes and 3 cups of water
7. Bring your soup to a low simmer.
8. Add 1 cup of uncooked and rinsed lentils (you could also used canned if you prefer)
9. Add salt, pepper, a pinch of cayenne, a pinch of cumin, and whatever else you desire.
10. Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked through
11. Stir in ribboned kale and herbs. I used about 5 leaves of dinosaur kale, a bunch of cilantro, and a handful of parsley
12. Taste and adjust seasoning to taste.

Done!! 🙂 I know it’s not much of a recipe, but these quick little soups get me through the winter. I make a little pot for dinner, and then eat it with an fried egg in the morning… if there is any left over I have it for lunch with some crusty garlic bread (yes. I work from home, so I can eat garlic in the middle of the day).

xoxo-H