urbanhipster

Amy-Style Lentils

Amy’s Place is a cool diner in Buffalo. There used to be a second location way out here in the country by my house. This location was only open for a few years, but it was my go-to place for weekend breakfasts, my daily morning bagel (don’t do that. it makes you fat.), and comforting dinners.

They have lots of great food but all of my favorite dishes include a lentil mixture that’s like a thick stew/chili. It’s good by itself or over grains. Amy’s also serves it in an amazing creation called “Veggie Wet Shoes,” which includes curly fries, lentils, cheddar cheese, and I don’t remember what else. Eat it with lots of hot sauce and ketchup, and all your dreams will come true. (You’ll also get fat. Oh well.) You can also get the lentils in an omelette, which sounds crazy but is awesome.

Here’s my approximation of this versatile, healthy, vegetarian dish. This recipe makes a LOT, so you can freeze some for later. Or cut the recipe in half. And feel free to improvise; I always do.

Ingredients:

• 1 large onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2-3 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp coriander
• Red pepper flakes, to taste
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 can crushed or diced tomatoes
• 1-2 fresh tomatoes, diced (optional)
• 1 c vegetable stock
• 2-3 c water
• 1 c dried lentils

Instructions:

Saute onion and garlic in olive oil in a big nonstick soup pot for a few minutes. Add carrots and celery. Saute until the vegetables are somewhat soft, 5-10 minutes? Add tomatoes and spices.

Add tomatoes and stock. Simmer on medium heat until lentils are tender, adding water as needed. Stir frequently. Stop adding water when the lentils are soft (or al dente—whatever you prefer).

Puree a few cups of the stew in a food processor, then add the puree back to the big pot. This will thicken the stew. You want it to be pretty thick, not watery like soup. If it’s watery, keep simmering.

Serve over rice, curly fries, or whatever you want. Top with Cheddar cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, ketchup … again: whatever you want.

I hope you like it! And if you’re in Buffalo or ever visit, go to Amy’s Place for the real thing.

traditions!

inthefade:

When my son was nine (2002) he had to write an essay for school about family holiday traditions. This is what he wrote.

My Favorite Holiday Traditions by DJ

Every Christmas Eve we go to my aunt’s house. All the kids make a huge mess and lot of noise and we eat until the grownups say how full they are and they are going to puke, but then my aunt brings out dessert and everyone keeps eating. Then the grownups start drinking and we all exchange presents and the grownups act like idiots while the kids mess up the house some more. Then my poppy takes out the video camera and tapes everyone doing embarrassing things and then the babies start crying so everyone leaves. It’s the most fun day of the year.

Eating, drinking, puking, acting like idiots. The basis for all family holiday traditions around here.

This definitely does sound like the most fun day of the year! Can I be invited this year?