Southern Skirt Edition ~ “Skirtin’ Around the South”
Spanish Red Lentil Soup
~ Skirt in the Kitchen ~
Remove needles from a Prickly Pear Cactus paddle– wear gloves.
Cut out the needle sockets with a paring knife.
Cut into strips, then cubes– enough for 1/2 cup. Set aside.
Peel and slice, then chop, 2 1/2 carrots.
Chop 1 medium white onion.
Chop 1 small green bell pepper.
Cut evenly 3 slices smoked bacon.
Saute in extra-virgin olive oil the onion; then add bacon.
Stir in dried cayenne pepper flakes.
Add the bell pepper, 1 finely chopped garlic clove, then Spanish paprika.
Add more seasonings of– dried parsley, cinnamon, cumin, 2 bay leaves, salt, pepper, and liquid smoke. Pour in 6 cups beef broth. Crumble 2 beef bouillon cubes and stir in, as well. Bring to a boil, turn down to a medium simmer.
Cook in the broth and seasonings 1 1/2 cups red lentils.
In a small skillet, quickly cook to soften while stirring, the cactus. It will become slimy, but this aids in a thickener for the lentil soup, not only for added flavor and nutrition. Stir in well; “the slimy” will be gone when blended.
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