Tomato Lentil Soup

Winter is such great soup weather. If I ever master growing tomatoes, then I'll be making this in the summer as well. I've always been a tomato soup fan, especially with a toasted or grilled cheese sandwich you can dunk! As a kid, I would crush as many Tollhouse Crackers as my mom would let me into the Campbell's Tomato Soup. Well, this is a homemade-from-scratch tomato soup. I decided to add the Lentils since they are an excellent source of fiber and protein! Seriously, anymonkeycan cook this delicious soup!

1 Yellow Onion, chopped
4-6 Garlic Cloves, minced
1-2 T of Olive Oil or Coconut Oil etc

6 c Tomatoes, diced (2-28 oz cans of diced tomatoes or about 12 regular sized fresh tomatoes
2 c Chicken Broth (use Vegetable to make this Vegetarian)
1 c Red Lentils, rinsed and pick over if needed

1-2 T Kosher Salt (to taste)
1-2 T Fresh Basil, chopped (can try other herbs)
Black Pepper (to taste)
1/2 c Half and Half (optional to make this a creamy soup)

1. Heat the Oil on Medium High heat & saute the Onion & Garlic until tender (about 8-10 min)
2. Add Tomatoes, Broth, & Lentils and cook over Medium heat for about 30 min.
3. Add Half & Half, as well as Salt, Pepper, & Basil (to taste)
4. Remove from heat and Puree until smooth with an Immersion Blender. You can transfer in batches to a blender as well.
5. Serve with crackers or bread or a grilled cheese sandwich.
And there you go! Anymonkeycan make homemade tomato soup from scratch!

Eggnog Pancakes

So, I have drank my fair share of Eggnog this Christmas. I even made a batch of made-from-scratch the "Real Deal" Holyfield eggnog that I hope to post soon. But here's what you can do with some of your extra eggnog. This will show you that "Anymonkeycan" make gourmet eggnog pancakes!














2 c White Whole Wheat Flour or regular All Purpose Flour
2 T Sugar
2 t Baking Powder
1 t Salt
1/2 t Baking Soda
1 t Cinnamon (to taste)
2 t freshly Grated Nutmeg if available
2 c Eggnog
4 T of melted, unsalted Butter
3 large Eggs


















1. Heat Griddle to Medium
2. Whisk first 7 (DRY) ingredients in Mixer Bowl
3. Whisk the last 3 (WET) ingredients in another medium bowl
4. Pour the WET ingredients into the DRY ingredients and mix until just combined.
5. Ladle 1/4 c batter onto the heated griddle and sprinkle with some of the grated Nutmeg
6. Cook until bubbles form on the tops
7. Flip and cook until the underneath side is lightly browned.

Enjoy your Pancakes!! You can't go wrong with a bit of Nutella smeared on them!

Once again proving that "Anymonkeycan" cook pancakes!!

Sweet Potato Poblano Pepper Casserole

I wanted to try something a bit different this Thanksgiving using Sweet Potatoes. This dish turned out most excellent and was easy to make. Definitely something that anymonkeycan do!

2 T of Olive Oil
3-4 medium Sweet Potatoes (peeled and 1/4" dice)
1 medium Poblano Pepper (cut into thin slices)
1 medium Red Onion (cut into thin slices)
1 t ground Cumin (to taste)
1 t Cinnamon (to taste)
Salt (to taste)
Grated Parmesan Cheese (optional)

1. Heat Oil in large skillet over Medium-High heat.
2. Add the Onions and Peppers to the heated oil and sautee for about 5 min.
3. Reduce heat to Medium heat and add Sweet Potatoes and Salt (Cover).
4. Stir occasionally for about 40 min or until the Potatoes are tender and lightly browned.
5. Sprinkle Cumin, Cinnamon, and Salt to taste
6. Remove from heat and you can garnish with Cheese, fresh herbs etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmuJCIFFz5c
**In the video I decided to roast the pepper and the onions.  After the pepper is roasted it will be charred black and blistered.  Place it in a bowl and cover with saran wrap for 20 min.  Then gentle scrape off the charred skin.  Cut the pepper & onion in thin slices and add to the sweet potatoes for the last 5-10 min.**

The cinnamon gives this dish an Indian flavor. Enjoy and as always..."Anymonkeycan" cook!