I made this today from scratch, and no recipe to hand. With storms overhead we had no wish to make the journey to the store, and we had few ingredients in. It was well worth it though!

Ingredients

3oz Precooked Red Lentils
1 800g Carton of Tomato Frito [or similar - pasata for example]
1/2 Pint of Chicken or Vegetable Stock
1/2 Onion, finely chopped
2 Cloves of Garlic, crushed

Method

• Saute Onions & Garlic in a little olive oil until soft
• Thrown in the precooked red lentils, tomato frito and stock
• Simmer gently for ten minutes.
• Season & Serve with crusty bread

Told you it was easy!

You may blend if you wish, but I prefer to serve it as is. The red lentils tend to fall slightly, and it is a lovely warming rustic soup this way - ideal for winter warming.

A traditional Spanish Easter treat sweetened with honey, from a monastery menu. This recipe makes about 36 fritters.

Ingredients:
3 eggs
3 tbsp bread crumbs, made from unprocessed white bread
Olive oil for frying
Powdered cinnamon

For the honey syrup:
1/2 cup honey
1/4 cup water

Method:

• Beat the eggs in a large bowl with the bread crumbs.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy-bottomed frying pan and when it is hot but not smoking add dessert-spoonfuls of the dough, frying them on both sides like baby pancakes.
• Remove to kitchen paper towels to soak up the excess oil.
• Heat the honey and water in a pan and when it is simmering add the fritters a few at a time. Cook them through for 5 minutes than remove them to a large, low-sided baking dish.
• Pour over the honey syrup and sprinkle with the cinnamon. Allow 6-7 per serving.

Ingredients
2 Large Chicken Breasts
1 Tin of Tomatoes
1/2 Pint of Chicken Stock
1 Large Onion
2 Cloves of Garlic
1 Stick of Celery
2 Carrots
6oz Green Lentils precooked

Method

• Cut Chicken into pieces, and brown in a little olive oil
• Dice Vegetables [very small]. Add Onions & Garlic to Chicken and soften
• Add rest of vegetables & cook gentley for a couple of minutes
• Add Tinned Tomatoes & Chicken stock, & season to taste
• Cook on a very low heat for 15 mins, and then add lentils
• Cook for another 15 mins until chicken is cooked through throughly

Service with Green Beans & Crusty Bread.

Method
1.5 cups corn meal
1/3 cup flour
1 tablespoon sugar
2 eggs
½ teaspoon Salt
3 teaspoons baking powder
1¼ cups buttermilk

Method
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Grease muffin tins and heat until very hot.
Mix all ingredients together. Fill muffin tins about half full. Bake for around 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Place baked muffins on wire rack to cool as soon as removed from oven.