Recipe: Lentils & Lamb Soup

It has been 2 days since my return from Perth, and I have been experiencing this crazy motivation to cook, despite the fact that I currently have a near-empty pantry and refrigerator (I have the habit of cleaning out everything at home before I leave for vacations). After 11 days of having hotel breakfast and meals at restaurants, a simple bowl of home-cooked oatmeal tasted so heavenly. I woke up late today (at 830AM instead of 7AM) , but had just enough time to cook myself a nice, warm bowl of oatmeal for breakfast. Oatmeal is certainly one of my favourite breakfast - so yummy, yet so healthy!

Apple & Nuts Oatmeal

I headed to work thereafter. However, by 11AM, I was so tired (probably fatigued from all the traveling), I had to get myself a large soy latte. I also had a packet of mixed fruits & nuts, and was so full that I could only have my lunch at 2:30 PM.


I really wanted to pick up some groceries before heading back home, but decided not to because it started raining. I forgot how empty my refrigerator was, and wished I hadn't been so lazy. The few items that I had on hand were some brown lentils, sweet potato, garlic, onions, green pepper, frozen minced lamb and a can of diced tomato. What would you have done if you only had these ingredients? For me, Lentils & Lamb Soup was the answer. It was more of a random mix & match of the ingredients, but I was really surprised by how tasty it was! Absolutely delicious!


Of course, before cooking dinner, I managed to fit in the following workout:

• 25 mins stairmaster
• 20 mins elliptical machine
• 2* 60s plank

Lentils & Lamb Soup

Ingredients :

• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 Onion (Minced)
• 3 Garlic Cloves (Minced)
• 250 g Minced Lamb
• 1 Sweet Potato (Diced)
• 1 Can Diced Tomato (400g)
• 1/2 Cup Lentils
• 3 Cups of Beef Stock (I used stock cubes dissolved in water)

Seasoning:

• 1/2 Tbsp Thyme 
• 1/2 Tbsp Oregano 
• 2 Bay Leaves
• Salt & Pepper (to taste)
• Chili flakes + Cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat the olive oil in a medium pot, and add onion & garlic.  Stir for 3 to 4 mins until onion is softened.
2. Add minced lamb into pot and stir until lamb is browned.
3. Add diced tomato, sweet potato, lentils, and beef stock and bring to boil.
4. Add thyme, oregano and bay leaves and continue boiling for 20 mins.
5. During the last 5 mins, add salt & pepper to taste.
6. Serve with grated cheese & chili flakes. (J had grated cheese & chili in his, but I had mine without the cheese since I am dairy intolerant)

This could become my favourite dark chocolate!

After dinner, I treated myself to this chocolate bar that I picked up yesterday. A sugar-free dark chocolate bar that tasted really rich certainly kept me happy for the rest of the night!


Ahhh... home sweet home, food sweet food :)