Lentil Orange Soup

ONE
1 onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, pressed
1 tsp olive oil
1 carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped

TWO
2 cups red lentils
2 cups orange juice
juice of 1 lemon
5 cups water or vegetable broth (more if needed)
1 tsp thyme
salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, to taste
2 tbsp brown sugar

fat-free plain yogurt (optional)

In a  pan, sauté the ingredients in ONE. Add the ingredients in TWO, bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes. Lightly blend with a handheld mixer or blender (about 4 pulses). Serve with fat-free yogurt.

UP-date

It's that time of the year again, when I get an MRI to see if the cyst is gone. After two years, it has basically not changed size, so it is time for more drastic measures. Next Thursday I'll be going in for an endoscopic ultrasound, during which my doctor will take pictures and drain the fluid and analyze it to make sure it is just a pseudocyst. What else could it be? I asked, since he didn't seem willing to give me that information. A growth, he said. Cancer?, said I. No, but it is considered pre-cancer, so we would have to take it out.
Ok, fine. After two years of having this thing you are telling me it could be something else? He seemed pretty sure it is just a cyst, and I want to believe him. I am actually pretty excited to have this thing drained. Now, that doesn't mean I'd go off the diet, but at least I'd know I don't have something growing inside of me, at least for some time, since it could actually fill up again. The human body is indeed a mysterious thing.

Basil Sun-Dried Tomato Bread

ONE
1 envelope active dry yeast
1 cup warm water
2 tbsp sugar

TWO
1 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tbsp olive oil
6 cloves garlic

THREE
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp chopped sun-dried tomatoes

Preheat the oven to 375F.
In a bowl, mix the ingredients in ONE. Cover with a cloth and set aside. In a blender or with a mixer, blend the ingredients in TWO. In a bowl, pour the ingredients in THREE. Add the yeast and the basil mixtures and fold together into a batter. Add more water or flower as needed. Lightly grease and flour a bread loaf pan and pour the batter into the prepared pan. COver with a damp cloth and let it raise in a warm place for 30 minutes. Bake for 45 minutes.

Original in Allrecipes.com

Gobi Aloo (Curried cauliflower)

ONE
1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
4 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp olive oil

TWO
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tsp turmeric
1  tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garam masala
1/3 water (more if needed)

THREE
1 medium cauliflower, cut in florets
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
salt, to taste

In a saucepan, sautee the ingredients in ONE for a few minutes, over low heat. Add the ingredients in TWO and simmer, covered, until the potatoes are almost tender (about 15 minutes). Add more water if needed. Add the ingredients in THREE and simmer, covered, until all the vegetables are tender.

Original from Allrecipes.com

Veggie Egg-White Quiche

ONE

2 cups egg whites (or egg whites of 12 eggs)

1/4 cup fat-free milk

salt and black pepper

2 tomatoes, squeezed and seeded, chopped

fresh chopped basil, about 8 leaves

4 oz shredded cheese (I use a 75% reduced-fat cheddar)

TWO

1 tsp olive oil

2 leeks, thinly sliced

1 onion, thinly sliced

1 carrot, chopped

salt, to taste

fresh spinach

In a bowl, mix the ingredients in ONE. In a saucepan, sauté the ingredients in TWO, covered, over low heat, until the onions are translucent. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Pour into the egg mixture. Lightly grease an oven-safe dish. Bake for about 45 minutes until the center is set. Serve with salsa fresca or pico de gallo, and hot sauce.