I spent a very long afternoon in a waiting room yesterday (for a family member, not me). Fortunately. they had free coffee and tea. I think I personally emptied their pot of decaf. I meant to grab a banana on my way out the door, but got side-tracked printing out a map. All I had to eat in my purse was a tiny candy cane and a few Tums. Not exactly gourmet dining. By the time we got home it was 4:30 and I had nothing made for dinner, or even partly made, and I was pretty hungry. Lentils to the rescue.
I worked as hard and fast as I could and managed to get a lentil, sausage, and vegetable soup plus Yorkshire pudding made by 5:45. I added some applesauce for everyone, and dinner was ready for the table.
So, what I love about lentils --
- they're fast, taking about 40 minutes, or so, to cook till tender
- they don't need pre-soaking
- they're high in fiber (and we know why that's important)
- they're packed with protein -- the Harvard School of Public Health ranked them above beef, chicken and fish for a protein source, to reduce the onset of major diseases
- they're a good source of folate and iron, two nutrients important for women's health
- they're cheap
I have another, similar appointment to attend on Friday. I think I'll plan ahead a little better.
