Lentil Recipes to Fight Seasonal Depression

We need tryptophan to boost levels of serotonin necessary for dealing with seasonal depression. Legumes –peas beans, lentils are foods rich in tryptophan.

French Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 cups green lentils
8 cups bouillon
1 potato, diced
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 pinch cayenne, to taste
1 pound swiss chard, chopped
Juice of one lemon
pepper and salt to taste

Immunity Boosting Spices

Directions:

Bring the onion, garlic, celery, lentils and bouillon to a boil in a large pot. Add the potato and spices, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the swiss chard and cook 15 minutes more, or until the lentils are just tender, not mushy. Stir in the lemon juice and Immunity Boosting Spices. Serve with ground pepper to taste.

Lentil Pate

Ingredients:

1 cup dry green or red lentils,

2 medium carrots chopped

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced finely

2 tbsp/olive oil

1 tbsp. ghee

1 tbsp tomato pasta

black pepper and salt to taste

Immunity Boosting Spices

Directions:

To cook lentils, cover them with water and boil for 1-2 min. and then simmer for 15-20 min. (until tender). While cooking lentils, saute onion and carrots in olive oil for 7-10 min., add garlic, tomato pasta, lentils and ghee. Mix thoroughly, season with black pepper and salt. Don’t forget to add Immunity Boosting Spices. Serve warm. You can also use food processor if you want it smooth.

I also would like to share with you soup I found at about.com in Home cooking section.

Pomegranate Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

3/4 cup lentils, picked over

2 Tablespoons butter

1 medium sweet onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

8 cups (2 quarts) water

1 cup long-grain rice

1 teaspoon turmeric

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

½ cup chopped green onions

1 cup pomegranate juice or 1/4 cup grenadine syrup

1 Tablespoon butter

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh mint or 2 teaspoons crushed dried leaf mint

2 Tablespoons raisins

Directions:

Add water, drained lentils, rice, turmeric, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer on low about 45 minutes, until lentils and rice are tender.

Add basil, green onions and pomegranate juice to the soup. Simmer an additional 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a small skillet, add mint and saute until butter turns golden.

Divide soup into serving bowls. Drizzle each with the mint brown butter and sprinkle with a few raisins to serve.

Bon Appetit!

Breathe, smile and be happy.

Irina Wardas, HHC

Women’s Holistic Health Nutrition and Relationship Expert

NaturalCounselor.com

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4. Ten Tips to Stay Healthy through the Cold and Flu Season
5. Green Beans with Lemon and Cranberries