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Did you know that runners are good in bed?

Honestly, I had no idea.  Seeing as how…I have not been “in bed” with anyone since before becoming a runner.  (TMI?)

But that’s what I was told yesterday by a stellar individual who was trolling the online dating website I occasionally frequent, looking for an easy lay.  Apparently we, as runners, “have stamina and stuff”.  And “stamina and stuff”, in case you didn’t know, is useful for more than just running.

Wink wink nudge nudge.

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Damn.  Is it getting hot in here?  Does anyone else feel like they need a cold shower?

Or at least a shower to wash off the grimy disgusting sleaziness that just emanated off of the screen?

For real, I screamed at the computer at this point.  (Sorry computer, it’s not your fault.)

Then politely explained to this fine gentleman that, actually, my pelvis is broken at the moment so, no, I would not be meeting him for a booty call later that night.

(Who knew stress fractures could be so handy!?)

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And that, my friends is the single male quicksand sludge out there that I need to wade through in order to eventually find my prince charming.

(Honestly…I’d rather run a marathon. I think it might just be easier.)

So do we now see why I’ll be the single girl eating weird colored soup every day for the rest of my life?

WhatEVER.

It may be the worst shade of green known to man and ugly as hell.  But you’ll forget all that the second you put it into your mouth (I’m really struggling to resist a good hearty “that’s what she said” right now.  For the record.).

With the infusion of coconut milk and all of my favorite warming spices (cardamom! cinnamon! cloves!) it is a soup to be reckoned with.  And to top it all off, it’s so healthy that I’m pretty sure it’ll infuse you with any stamina that you were lacking.  Not necessarily to appease the weirdo random dudes who virtually molest you via OkCupid…but so that you’ll have the mental strength to forge ahead and not lose all your faith in single twenty-something mankind.

I know we could all use a big dose of that.

This week our Gourmet Live Women Game Changer in Food is Molly Wizenberg, the writer of the blog Orangette and also of the recipe memoir, A Homemade Life.  If you’ve never read anything of Molly’s, then you should.  I started reading her book on the plane back from San Francisco and honestly, that is probably the main reason why I barely slept on that flight. I just couldn’t put it down.
My favorite quote, and what I want to leave you with: “Food is never just food.  It’s also a way of getting at something else: who we are, who we have been, and who we want to be.”
For more of Molly’s recipes, check out these blogs:
Heather – girlichef
Miranda – Mangoes and Chutney
April – Abby Sweets 
Kathleen – Gonna Want Seconds
Amy – Beloved Green
Nancy – Picadillo

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Green Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk and Warm Spices
Serves 4, adapted from Molly Wizenberg’s Orangette

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp thyme
  • 1 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 6 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 1/2 cups French green lentils
  • 1 1/4 cups light coconut milk
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste

Ingredients

  1. In a large pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is translucent.  Turn the heat down to medium.  Add the thyme, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and a pinch of black pepper.  Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is slightly browned and very soft.
  2. Add the stock and the lentils.  Bring to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
  3. Add the coconut milk to the soup.  Stir well.  Cook for about 15 minutes to blend the flavors.  Taste and adjust the salt as necessary.  Serve.

I am submitting this to Souper Sunday hosted over at Kahakai Kitchen.

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You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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89 Responses to Green Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk and Warm Spices

  1. Only you can make me laugh over a green bowl of lentils. Guys are a disaster for the most part… wish I had a prince for you:-)

  2. z says:

    what kind of vegetable stock do you like to use?

  3. Joanne says:

    z – I use either Imagine or Pacific Foods brand vegetable stock. They’re really the only quality veggie broth I’ve been able to find and so it’s worth it even though they’re a bit more expensive than other brands.

  4. Jeanette says:

    You are hilarious! I know I can always get a good laugh reading your posts. This is my kind of soup, love all the spices and coconut milk, can’t go wrong.

  5. This post made me laugh! Silly boys. Ugh! This soup wins over boys any day, for sure 🙂

  6. OohLookBel says:

    I am going to make this wonderful soup because a) I have lentils, and b) I need stamina (no, not for *that*). PS: You are too cool.

  7. So sorry about the computer sleaze! But your recipe is wonderful. I need to make something with coconut milk, I’ve been craving it ever since I made a coconut curry and ruined it by adding sweetened coconut cream made for cocktails to it by mistake…yuck. I can almost smell all the spices just by looking at your photo. Great job.

  8. HAHA! A broken pelvis is a pretty legit injury 🙂
    While this may be the ugliest color known to man I LOVE lentil soup and the fact that there’s coconut milk in it…dude, awesome.

  9. Love lentils, this is awesome. I always cook it with a tiny amount of tomato, you don’t taste the tomato but it makes a huge difference.

    Great p0rn reading with pictures of food thrown in for distraction. There is a typo: “Food is never just food. It’s also a way of getting at something else: who we are, who we have been, and who we want to be.” It should be ‘who we want to be with’ – remember the fastest way to a wo(man)s heart is via stomach. A close second is probably dating sites:).

  10. A soup with not only coconut milk but lentils! Sounds fantastic. I love using coconut milk but come to think of it I usually do it in baking not in my soups so I will definitely be trying this super creative tip from you. Sorry about the computer but hey- the pics are awesome!

  11. amy says:

    Looks so good – the arrival of fall has put me into soup mode!

    I can never find green lentils at my local grocery store, but brown ones are everywhere. Anything to keep in mind with that substitution? I seem to remember something about different kinds of lentils taking different cooking times, but the specifics are escaping me

  12. Joanne says:

    amy – I think brown and green lentils are pretty interchangeable in terms of cooking time and flavor/texture. It’s red lentils that are the ones that can’t be switched in since they take super short to cook and have a completely different texture!

  13. There is nothing like those spices and a good lentil soup … is this soup like Indian dal?

    As for Molly, she is really such a good writer! I am hoping she gets to that second book she’s been talking about …

  14. Joanne says:

    When I saw the title of the post/recipe, I thought … eh. But then, those images. Wow! I could so have that for dinner tonight, and tomorrow too. Happy Friday to you 🙂

  15. bellini says:

    Rinning may gve you stamina..wink…but so do healthy soups like this one Joanne.

  16. I hope this soup made you feel better! That guy was nasty!

  17. Hey Joanne, That dude sounds so sleazy.. gah! I’ve bookmarked this soup, too, and glad to know it gets your stamp of approval. 🙂

  18. Danielle says:

    I have all these ingredients in the house – this sounds like a great soup.

  19. Haha ew. What a perv. What do lentils taste like?

  20. Catherine says:

    Dear Joanne, As Fifel sings, “Somewhere out there”!!(Anyway, sometimes the dream is better than the reality.)
    On to the soup! I know I would just love a bowl of this goodness. Blessings for a very beautiful day. Catherine xo

  21. polwig says:

    This guy should seriously work on his lines. Sometimes I think it may be just NYC you know the woman/man ratio there helps guys like him that would never get any get some with ridiculous lines like these. You will find your prince charming sooner or later, probably like me a visitor from another city 😉 Then just like me you can cook for him and he will fall in love even faster then you can wash lentils. Not that your cooking would ne the only reason

  22. I love lentil soup! I’ve never made it with coconut milk before and the spices sound so soothing and delicious.

  23. Jenna says:

    Lentils are my bff’s, so this will be on the menu soon. Not next week unfortunately (since in my mania I’ve already crammed every evening with a new recipe) but the next one.
    And gross guys on the internet = ew.

  24. Allison says:

    Ugh. That’s all I have to say. (To internet weirdos with no manners. Not to your delicious looking lentil soup!)

  25. Faith says:

    Ugh, guys are gross, lol! I’m truly sorry, Joanne! But at least you had a pretty fantastic soup! I’m on a real bean/lentil kick lately and I’d love to try this one!

  26. Cate says:

    What a creeper! This sounds like it’s absolutely delicious, and I think I have everything I need already in the cupboards!

  27. Patsyk says:

    Good grief! Shouldn’t they require some kind of test to determine if the guy is a sleeze before allowing them to troll those sites? Ick!

  28. Lyndsey says:

    I love lentils of all kinds. I will definitely add this one to my recipe box! So different from the lentil soup I just made and I know I will like it just as well.

  29. Mary says:

    Girl, you make me laugh almost every time I read your posts. I love it! Sorry about the sleaze though. I’m glad it was virtual sleaze vs up close and personal. ICK!

  30. Claire says:

    I just made some lentil soup last week. Twas so good but VERRRY fiber-iffic! 🙂 It was a crock pot recipe, so was easy but actually overflowed the crock pot. Oops!

  31. Dana says:

    Oh those pesky lentils. So delicious, so not photogenic. Your dating site posts bring up some bad memories but I know your prince is out there!

  32. Haha I am laughing because I’ve had similar things happen to me in the big bad dating world (actually I shouldn’t laugh because it’s not funny…) 😉

    Love that quote from Molly Wizenberg!

  33. Mary says:

    What a great choice, Joanne. It’s a perfect soup for a chilly fall day. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary

  34. girlichef says:

    I can’t stop giggling! And this soundss so delicious, btw. A comfort that I would bathe in right now…

  35. France says:

    Ok it may not be the most appetizing of colors, but at least you didn’t photo shop it so that it looked all fake and then those of use at home make it and it turns out completely different.
    And green lentils kind of do that look all pasty and gross, but that’s why they have a bad rep. I bet the flavors are amazing.

  36. Miriam says:

    Sorry you had to put up with that wierdo for even a minute!! What is the matter with people?! Not trying to get religious on you, but I know a lot of people who have met their dream boats at church (myself included). Just sayin’…your prince charming is out there somewhere!!!
    The soup sounds divine :),
    Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

  37. Swathi says:

    Yes some time we will meet useless people. But this soup looks delicious, it has all the favorite spices in there.

  38. sofia says:

    girl, you gotta get on that so you can test if in fact this is true about runners. then report back. hehe 🙂

    this soup looks like vom but sounds fab. happy friday?

  39. Amy says:

    Maybe you need to join a church or temple…or soup kitchen. I bet even the homeless men are nicer and less demanding of sex than these dating sites. Lordy. And your soup would certainly be appreciated 😉

  40. theses dishes are good for health..thank you for sharing information about these dishes.

  41. Uh oh, OKC strikes again. Thanks for the soup – I’ll be making it soon and taking it off to work in ugly little tupperwares.

  42. Mo 'Betta says:

    I have a single brother…

  43. iscribbler says:

    That soup looks gorgeous! In fact, I might top some brown rice with that and take it for lunches. 🙂

  44. Johanna GGG says:

    I love mollie’s book but have never got into her blog! Yet I also love her recipes. Sorry to hear you aren’t finding prince charming – online dating sounds like a minefield

  45. This looks incredible! I am such a fan of lentils and coconut milk.

  46. Tessa says:

    Your posts always make me laugh… I have been looking for more ways to use lentils lately, so this soup is right on time!

  47. Fabulous recipe and a great source of protein!

  48. Corina says:

    This looks gorgeous to me – green is one of my favourite colours! And I love the spices you’ve put in it.

  49. That Girl says:

    I dunno. I was fantastic bed long before I was a runner 😉

  50. Hey girl, you could always dump a bowl of this soup over the yucky guys head 😉 Love this recipe & I think i’ll whip up a bowl for lunch today!

  51. Julie says:

    What a great recipe!! Isn’t there some expression about lots of frogs before the prince! 🙂

  52. Hannah says:

    There really is something satisfying about eating a truly ugly/bizarre dish that you would never serve to any other living human being… Being single isn’t all bad. Ha, I would know! I think I may be a contender for holding the world record of “longest time single” at this point.

  53. Barbara says:

    Loving the idea of coconut milk in there, Joanne. going to see if I can adapt my mother’s recipe!

  54. Warm, nutritious and delicious!

  55. Pam says:

    Oh Joanne, you NEVER fail to make me smile or make me grateful that I found my prince charming. What a creep that guy is!

    The soup looks hearty and flavorful. Anything with coconut milk is good in my book – I don’t care what color it is.

  56. Oh my God, only you can crack me up in a post about lentils. The soup sounds great btw, hooray for stamina? Maybe I should start running again bwahahahaha.

  57. Cara says:

    I’ve finally learned not to feel bad about posting “ugly” food on my blog. It’s what’s on the inside that counts, right?! PS. any man would be lucky to have you making this for him 🙂

  58. yeah, peeps been trying to get my ass on the lentil train since undergrad. Not happening. You and me in bed… we’d get such a good night of sleep. Plus, my boyfriend would be there. Last night we got under the covers and watched “All About Eve.” Sound good?

  59. Elizabeth says:

    Ha, awesome. Slash unfortunate. I would take solace in lentils with coconut milk as well.

  60. Kristen says:

    Looks aside, that sounds like a wonderful bowl of soup/stew. Green doesn’t go over well on my table. I suppose I could blindfold everyone.

  61. That soup looks so delicious! I love lentils.

  62. Would the recipe work with orange lentils as well. Do different color lentils taste differently. Do I have a lot to learn?

    Regardless, this sounds good to eat.

  63. Reeni says:

    This may not be pretty but with coconut milk and the very same spices I love I know it has to be incredibly good! Sometimes the best foods are the ugliest! Internet dating. Scares the you-know-what out of me. Be. Careful.

  64. i never had any coconut milk recipe with all these spices before…but just like everybody says joanne, you are one funny lady. your posts make me laugh and smile everytime i read it from start to finish.
    happy weekend.
    malou

  65. sally says:

    I’m not sure what to say about the computer sleaze, but the lentil soup recipe looks like a real winner!

  66. Chris says:

    This dish must be so savory with all the warm spices! Sorry for your online dating run ins but at least it gives you good material, ha ha.

  67. Haha stamina and stuff 🙂 this post was just too funny. As a college going young lady I can strongly relate to the sludge of men that must be waded through on a daily basis to even have a normal conversation! These lentils make everything okay in the world.

  68. Bob says:

    Hm, intriguing. I might have to try this with the lentils I was wondering what to do with.

    I think part of your dating problem is you’re in New York. You should come to Boston, we have a much higher quality of guys here. Heh.

  69. teresa says:

    as always, you brought a smile to my face! it kind of made me want to take up running 😉

    i also want to make this dish, it sounds like the perfect thing for a cold eastern day!

  70. Kelly says:

    I love that you used coconut milk in this lentil soup and the warming autumn spices are wonderful. After all, the end of summer is not so bad 🙂

  71. Jackie says:

    Mmmm.. this recipe sounds really delicious. How perfect for the cooler fall days.

  72. Kerstin says:

    Looks so warm and comforting with the coconut milk and spices 🙂

  73. Carolyn Jung says:

    I always have a bag of lentils around in the pantry because they cook up so quickly and are so versatile. Your photos have me craving a big bowl right now.

  74. kankana says:

    LOL LOL u are funny!
    As for the dish Love using coconut milk in curry but never tried with lentils .. Looks lovely.

  75. Lora says:

    Fantastic flavors. I am making this definitely this week.

  76. Christina says:

    I love this soup! The warm spices with the coconut milk really set this lentil soup apart from all others, and it’s quick to make.
    It is actually a recipe from Once Upon A Tart that Molly posted on her website.

  77. tigerfish says:

    This warm spicy lentils will be very good with any Indian rotis….

  78. Deborah says:

    Just for the record – I love your dating stories, and something good is coming out of being single!! But I’m sure that even when you do find that prince charming, I’ll still find great recipes like this one here. And this one really looks like a winner!!

  79. Nicole, RD says:

    Do guys really think that’s going to attract women (without STD’s or a job on the corner)? Man, oh man….they have so much to learn 🙂 As a lover of lentils and coconut, this looks delicious!

  80. Yum! I love lentils in all forms (even if they are not very photogenic…LOL). This soup is no exception, flavourful and conforting! Perfect for the cold days!

  81. This looks completely fabulous. A bowl and a long hot shower to wash away the thoughts of your “friend” is a good plan. 😉 Thanks for sending it to Souper Sundays.

  82. Shannon says:

    hehehe, at least the stress fracture comes in handy for those weirdos 🙂 fabulous lentil soup, i need to play with the lentils in my pantry… eek.

  83. Lori says:

    I hate to laugh at your frustrations, but your stories do crack me up! Don’t worry, your prince will come, no wading required, but maybe some waiting. 🙂 All it takes is one bite of a “weird colored soup” that has Indian flavors and you know it has nothing to do with looks. Sounds awesome!

  84. Melanie says:

    Looks like a great soup! It must be very flavorful with all those spices!

  85. Miranda says:

    Coconut milk mixed with those spices sound awesome. No my hubs is not a runner, but he does pretty well, wink, wink 😉

  86. This soup isn’t ugly at all! I think it looks delicious and can’t wait to try it. I love well spiced soups.

  87. Ashley says:

    I got the goods from the store to make this recipe this week, but my store didn’t have any French green lentils, so I got a different kind. I hope it’s still as tasty!

  88. […] Lentil Soup with Coconut Milk and Warm Spices Serves four – from Joanne’s Eats Well With Others […]

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