Fondest Memories

In the last ten days I have lost one of my fondest mentors, Dr Gordon Young, professor emeritus of history from Purdue University. Gordy began as my teacher back in my undergraduate days, but took on a more important role in my life as I grew as an academic: becoming both a mentor, but more importantly, one of my best friends. He dragged me to and from Egypt multiple times, and honored me on his last trip overseas by making me the Assistant Leader for that trip. I, and tens of thousands, of former students are saddened by the loss of this great man to brought us into his family.

The man loved to eat overseas, introducing me to a huge variety of foods which I could only imagine. In his honor, I will spend the next few postings recounting some of the Old Man's favorite recipes, as well as honor his Pastafarian ways (none of this spaghetti monster stuff, I mean following his stomach to delicious food no matter what country he was in).

Lentil Soup

Tools:
Cutting Board

Knife

Measuring Spoons/Cups

Pot

Ingredients:

2 cups of lentils

1 cup spring onions, chopped finely

5 garlic cloves, chopped finely

2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped finely

2 tbsp cumin

1 tbsp corn starch

2 tbsp white vinegar

2 tbsp olive oil

4 cups of water

salt and pepper to taste

Alright, add the oil to the pot and add the garlic and onion to the pot on medium heat until slightly translucent. Then add the parsley, lentils, cumin, and water to the pot. Simmer on low heat for several hours, adding water as it boils down. 

With the final cup of water before serving, stir in the cornstarch and mix well. Pour the dissolved cornstarch into the soup, stirring to thicken up the soup. Immediately before serving, add salt and pepper to taste, as well as the vinegar. Serve with fresh baked bread.

Of course this recipe can easily be adapted to be done in a slow cooker, just pre-soften the onion and garlic in a separate pan and add another tablespoon of olive oil to the slow cooker.

Gordy, I offer you this final "Bien Camino," thank you my friend for everything.