My Favorite Soup for a Tender Time
- Cara McLauchlan
- 24 minutes ago
- 2 min read
November feels like a tender month.
Gone are the October bluebird days, quietly changed out for the chilling November skies. As we head into the weeks leading up to the holidays, I love the shift, but below it all rests a melancholy place of missing my parents and seasons of long ago.
When the ruminating thoughts swirl like falling leaves, I cook something. Both my parents were born in November, and the season held such a special place for them, especially in the kitchen. I was deeply missing my mom this week, so it felt right to cook her lentil soup.
Lentils are sort of a humble thing - I know they come in various colors of yellow, red, green and brown. The ones I grew up appreciating were the ugly ones, brown like an old shoe. What's remarkable about lentils is they are so good for you, yet so unappetizing to see. I think that's why I love them so much - it takes a certain someone to love and appreciate them. You aren't choosing them for beauty, but for the nourishing qualities when you need some extra comfort and care.
Making lentil soup, I'm transported to middle school me. Many a fall day, I remember walking home from school, chilled and tired. Seeing our home lit up with windows steamed meant my mom had finished cooking something good for us. Dropping my book bag, I was welcomed by my mom, a bowl of lentil soup, and a fresh hunk of bread with gobs of butter. You can see the closest version of her recipe here, Helen's Lentil Soup.
Wherever your November takes you, I hope you have time to make yourself some soup. Maybe lentil soup isn't your choice, but whatever you make, I hope it's the kind that reminds you of coming home after a hard day to a place where you can drop all your troubles.