This is a perfect meal for the current state of our new kitchen. I want to tell you about our new kitchen in our new house, which I feel like I should mention is a foreclosure. So give her some extra compassion, okay?

It’s, um, how do I say this? Small.
Small = less stuff = maybe even a little bit freeing.
Small = less distance to walk to get to things and fewer places to clean. Just saying.
It has a real live window and I have my photography table set up in the kitchen. Never before, guys. THIS IS AMAZING.
It has a jumbo, awkward, 1980’s fridge and I bump into it at least eighty times a day.
The stove is gas. It says the word CALORIC on the panel. So thanks for that.
It has a window. Actually, two. Did I already say that? Hiphiphooray!
It has a big sink that holds lots of dirty dishes and keeps them out of sight.
It has a non-functional garbage disposal. Oh well?
It is begging for a remodel. We are in the fun planning phase where we make 3D blueprints to see what it will look like when we knock the ol’ kitchen wall down and make it my small dream kitchen.

We did sneak a few good foods into this soup (kale, onions, garlic, carrots, and olive oil) and anyways, in my book, the best kinds of healthy foods are the ones that ACTUALLY TASTE GOOD.

And while this soup tastes good without the extras, it tastes BETTER with them. Cue the bread and cheese.
WHAT MAKES THIS LENTIL SOUP SO GOOD
As is my goal with most recipes I make for Pinch of Yum, this crockpot lentil soup was made for real life. Because it’s literally for my real life.

We’re starting with a solid base: onions, garlic, carrots, celery, spices, salt, and broth.

Then we’re getting awesome by adding butternut squash, which partially melts into a creamy textured miracle, lentils (always lentils), and yellow split peas because WOW color.
After all this simmers up into the best house smells and then we do the magic thing that takes it over the top: puree a portion of the soup with that olive oil to form a silky emulsion that then gets added back into the soup.

I see you, hungry reader whose life is crazy right now, who has a hard time finding the time to cook even though you love food, who opens the fridge to grab a quick lunch to take to work in the morning rush only to find NOTHING that seems good enough, who values the big bowl of comfort food pasta above all else, who is not asking for much other than GOOD FOOD that is made for REAL LIFE. This is called Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup, which means nothing scientifically as you’ll notice that my bowl of DETOX soup is topped with a few thick chunks of Parmesan cheese and served with that addicting crusty-warm bread.

I see you. I know you think I’m not watching because I’m on the other side of this computer-ma-jig, but I’m watching (um, in a not-creepy and not-literal way – just felt like I should clarify. pls don’t leave.).

So since I see you and understand you because I am just like you in these feelings, today I honor you (us?) with this super cozy, big-time nutritious, easy to prepare soup.

I see you, hungry reader whose life is crazy right now, who has a hard time finding the time to cook even though you love food, who opens the fridge to grab a quick lunch to take to work in the morning rush only to find NOTHING that seems good enough, who values the big bowl of comfort food pasta above all else, who is not asking for much other than GOOD FOOD that is made for REAL LIFE.

I see you. I know you think I’m not watching because I’m on the other side of this computer-ma-jig, but I’m watching (um, in a not-creepy and not-literal way – just felt like I should clarify. pls don’t leave.).

So since I see you and understand you because I am just like you in these feelings, today I honor you (us?) with this super cozy, big-time nutritious, easy to prepare soup.

This is called Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup, which means nothing scientifically as you’ll notice that my bowl of DETOX soup is topped with a few thick chunks of Parmesan cheese and served with that addicting crusty-warm bread. Right, about that.

I see you, hungry reader whose life is crazy right now, who has a hard time finding the time to cook even though you love food, who opens the fridge to grab a quick lunch to take to work in the morning rush only to find NOTHING that seems good enough, who values the big bowl of comfort food pasta above all else, who is not asking for much other than GOOD FOOD that is made for REAL LIFE.

I see you. I know you think I’m not watching because I’m on the other side of this computer-ma-jig, but I’m watching (um, in a not-creepy and not-literal way – just felt like I should clarify. pls don’t leave.).

So since I see you and understand you because I am just like you in these feelings, today I honor you (us?) with this super cozy, big-time nutritious, easy to prepare soup.

This is called Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup, which means nothing scientifically as you’ll notice that my bowl of DETOX soup is topped with a few thick chunks of Parmesan cheese and served with that addicting crusty-warm bread. Right, about that.

We did sneak a few good foods into this soup (kale, onions, garlic, carrots, and olive oil) and anyways, in my book, the best kinds of healthy foods are the ones that ACTUALLY TASTE GOOD.

And while this soup tastes good without the extras, it tastes BETTER with them. Cue the bread and cheese.
WHAT MAKES THIS LENTIL SOUP SO GOOD
As is my goal with most recipes I make for Pinch of Yum, this crockpot lentil soup was made for real life. Because it’s literally for my real life.

We’re starting with a solid base: onions, garlic, carrots, celery, spices, salt, and broth.

Then we’re getting awesome by adding butternut squash, which partially melts into a creamy textured miracle, lentils (always lentils), and yellow split peas because WOW color.
After all this simmers up into the best house smells and then we do the magic thing that takes it over the top: puree a portion of the soup with that olive oil to form a silky emulsion that then gets added back into the soup.

This Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup is so darn simple to make and goes perfectly with a piece of crusty bread on a cold winter night.

INGREDIENTS
1 cup uncooked wild rice
1 pound chicken breasts
2 cups mirepoix (chopped celery, carrots, and onions)
6 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup flour
2 cups whole milk
a few tablespoons white wine (optional)
up to 2 cups additional milk or water
I was saying that this is perfect for the current state of our small kitchen because we don’t have everything all in order just yet. For example, I burned the Thanksgiving corn pudding because my oven was playing tricks on me, and no, it had nothing to do with Bjork hearing 475 instead of 425. And for another example, I keep forgetting boxes of kitchen stuff at our other house so I made frosting yesterday with a whisk attached to a drill. A DRILL. oh my gosh, I mean, really. What are we coming to?

But when everything else is chaotic, my steady and true Crockpot friend gives some stability and cooks us the most cozy, comforting dinner while I’m at work and making yet another run to the old house for the box with the hand mixer in it.

Crusty bread, this piping hot soup in a large bowl, and extra time on your hands. TIS THE SEASON FOR THAT.

This is a perfect meal for the current state of our new kitchen. I want to tell you about our new kitchen in our new house, which I feel like I should mention is a foreclosure. So give her some extra compassion, okay?

It’s, um, how do I say this? Small.
Small = less stuff = maybe even a little bit freeing.
Small = less distance to walk to get to things and fewer places to clean. Just saying.
It has a real live window and I have my photography table set up in the kitchen. Never before, guys. THIS IS AMAZING.
It has a jumbo, awkward, 1980’s fridge and I bump into it at least eighty times a day.
The stove is gas. It says the word CALORIC on the panel. So thanks for that.
It has a window. Actually, two. Did I already say that? Hiphiphooray!
It has a big sink that holds lots of dirty dishes and keeps them out of sight.
It has a non-functional garbage disposal. Oh well?
It is begging for a remodel. We are in the fun planning phase where we make 3D blueprints to see what it will look like when we knock the ol’ kitchen wall down and make it my small dream kitchen.