What's For Dinner?

Italian Chicken and Lentil Soup with Artisan Bread

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided (organic)
• 2 pounds chicken tenderloins, diced into bite-sized pieces (all-natural, hormone free or one from my freezer)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided (organic)
• 1 cup shredded carrots, organic - (locally grown if possible)
• 4 ribs celery from the heart, very thinly sliced (organic)
• 1 to 2 fresh bay leaves
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose, unbleached, organic flour
• 3 cups chicken stock, divided(organic or all-natural - homemade would also be great)
• 1 cup cooked lentils (optional)
• 1 cup cooked Quinoa (optional)
• 1 cup basil leaves(organic)
• 1 clove garlic(organic)
• A generous handful parsley leaves
• A handful pine nuts, lightly toasted
• A couple handfuls grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or whatever you have on hand; preferably organic

Heat a pot with 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, a turn of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and lightly brown. Remove to a plate and add another tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter and heat. Add carrots, celery, and bay leaf, season with salt and pepper. Soften 5 minutes, sprinkle in flour and cook 2 minutes. Whisk in 2 1/2 cups stock, slide the chicken back into the pot, add the lentils and Quinoa, and simmer to allow sauce to thicken.

Place the remaining 1/2 cup stock in food processor with basil, parsley, garlic, pine nuts and cheese, salt and pepper. Turn processor on and pour in the remaining few tablespoons oil. Turn heat off chicken and stir in pesto sauce.

Serve in bowls with Crusty Artisan Bread (recipe follows)

Note: You don't have to use the lentils or the quinoa - you could use some organic angel hair or (if you can find it, some organic, homemade gnocchi would resemble dumplings) or nothing at all. Whatever you like. Also, when I've found myself without fresh organic veggies, I have been quite pleased with the frozen mixed vegetables for this type of recipe.

Crusty Artisan Bread recipe can be found if you google "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day."