Green Lentil Horseradish Apple Soup

It's Soup Group 2014 and my contribution this year is a Green Lentil, Horseradish, Apple Soup.  What it lacks in beauty (ever tried to photograph a bowl of brown mush?), it makes up for in taste.  The horseradish was a surprising ingredient for me to include.  Prior to the soup, my only experience has been served alongside roast beef.  And in that instance, I disliked it greatly.  Thankfully, a friend made this soup for me to try a few years ago and only out of politeness did I eat it.  Shocked at how tasty it was, I'm a convert now.

White Bean, Grain and Dill Salad in a Jar

I'm super late to the salad in a jar party, of this I am sure.  As someone who keeps a small kitchen in my cupboard at work, the need to pack every little bit of a meal into a jar was never necessary.  The genius of it that I missed was how it could be made for days in a advance and never lose its freshness.  In fact, those little bits in the bottom so close to the dressing?  They're marinating in goodness making the salad even better on day two or three.  How could I have been so wrong.

Black Bean Chocolate Chili Cookies

It's almost Valentine's Day and this might be our best one yet.  Don and I have never celebrated this silly holiday.  Perhaps because we were married a mere six days past the 14th, we have both passed on giving gifts or celebrating any sort of romantic notions.  Having kids changed this game plan a little, as the school system is quick to embrace the Valentine's culture.  For years we have made cards and chocolate dipped strawberries to share with classmates.  It's fun, but often a mad rush to have them completed in time.

Morocan Carrot and Lentil Soup

In February of 1998, I went to an Oscars party at the Hard Rock Cafe with some coworkers.  It was the first time I watched all the nominated films in advance.  I wanted to look like I knew what I was talking about.  When I ran out of people to watch movies with, I started seeing the films on my own.  What a revelation that was!  Movies could be enjoyed by yourself.  I was young and hadn't sorted out my own comfort or interests.  It was the beginning of something very special.  It helped that the films nominated that year were relatively mainstream: Titanic, Good Will Hunting, L.A. Confidential, As Good As It Gets and The Full Monty.

Cheesy Pretzel Bites

We're gearing up for Superbowl Sunday, how about you?  Three of us are big football fans, so the game itself is almost as exciting as the food being served.  I almost didn't get to host a party this year, if Luke had his way.  We offered to let him have some friends over for the big game, but I could sense some reluctance on his part.  After some further questioning he admitted his concern, "mom, you don't know how to cook food for a Superbowl.  It's too healthy."