Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Lentils and sausages from my cupboard (saucisses lentilles de mon placard)

Some weeks ago, I decided to stop watching TV or internet news.


We’re living in a communication world now, which is a wonderful thing.We know almost everything that happens at the other side of the world.


But now, for my mental security, I can’t accept anymore to be drawn under bad news torrents.


I don’t know how it is in your country. It seems that journalism now is just made to make you cry on all the world disasters.


I’m just fed up about politician lies, job losses, manipulation, massacres, climate mess, pollution, rapes, bombs …


My husband uses to call me "blotting paper", because I’m unable to stand back with an information.


And you would agree with me, journalism talk much more about bad than good news.They are always focalising on bad events than on good ones.


What does it means ?...
Does it mean it never happens beautiful things through the world ?
Does it mean people are only cruel and uneducated and stupid ?
Does it mean all those great persons who save lives, humans or animal, who live for right fight… no need to talk about them ?
Does it mean  kind people are uninteresting ?
Does it mean only awful news and monsters are worthy to be famous in the world ?


I can’t change all that.
I’m just happy with my children, my husband, my family, my friends, we’re all healthy, everything is fine, so no… I don’t want to let black news go into my head and heart anymore !
I’ll become uncultivated, ignorant, I’ve got no problem with this !
I’ll be a happy stupid
You know this sentence : blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I want to be a poor in spirit !! The best on earth !
I’ll be the happiest poor in spirit in the world ! …
I just want to make Cyndi Lauper my BFF ! I just want to have FUN !


So I said STOP ! And for sometime, everything went fine ! I felt better. I had to prevent myself to read internet news, because I was used to. But I succeed. No more emotional pollution ! I was free !


Then, my friends informed me about the Pope’s resignation, the fall of meteorites in Russia, the scandalous of horse meat in French and English food…


Ok, guys, you're right ! Just keep on without me !


Here's a very simple and incredibly flavorous recipe. I call it "from my cupboard", because you can cook it with fresh products but also with cans and frozen products. What I did. 

You'll need, for 4 persons :
  • 4 sausages.
  • 1 kg of lentils in can. Of course, you can use dry one, that you'll make soak one entire night. 
  • 200 grammes of lardons or bacon. 
  • the equivalent of 2 fresh carrots, but frozen, for me.
  • 1 onion
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 2 cups of chicken or veal stock.
  • 2 bay leafs. 
  • Olive oil. 


Step 1 :
Now you know it, everything begins with onion, garlic and olive oil ... Let them brown. 


Step 2 : 
I made a mistake, don't do it ...
Cook your sausages in another pan and let them grill. You'll add them at the end to the dish. No problem.

Add all the ingredients except lentils and veal stock. Let all brown a little while.





Step 3 : Then pour lentils dripped with veal/chicken stock, bay leafs and stir all that. Let it cook for 5 minutes and add your sausages. 



Step 4 : 
And finally, grilled sausages. Let it cook 5 minutes more. With frozen and canned products, it takes 30 minutes. 



Bon appétit ! 





You'll need, for 4 persons :
  • 4 sausages.
  • 1 kg of lentils in can. Of course, you can use dry one, that you'll make soak one entire night. 
  • 200 gramme sof lardon or bacon. 
  • the equivalent of fresh 2 carrots, but frozen, for me.
  • 1 onion
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • 2 cups of chicken or veal stock.
  • 2 bay leafs. 
  • Olive oil. 

Now you know it, everything begins with onion, garlic and olive oil ... Let them brown. 

I made a mistake, don't do it ...
Cook your sausages in another pan and let them grill. You'll add them at the end to the dish. 

Add all the ingredients except lentils and veal stock. Let all brown a little while. 

Then pour lentils dripped with veal/chicken stock, bay leafs and stir all that. Let it cook for 5 minutes and add your sausages. 

And finally, grilled sausages. Let it cook 5 minutes more.



14 comments:

  1. Dear Axelle,

    I am in agreement with you - I avoid the news as much as possible. I look only a few moments at headlines, but not more - it is indeed a pool of darkness that I'm better off not dipping more than a toe into.

    Sometimes we have turned on CNN Int'l on a Sunday and watch an inspirational focus on someone doing good or helping others, and that is always good to take in.

    Anyway, I appreciate this recipe. I'll have to try it when my husband the Vegetarian is traveling! It reminds me of a visit to Paris almost 2 years ago. My friend and I took the TGV from Zurich. We checked into our hotel near the Luxembourg Gardens and then walked to a spot near the Sorbonne and saw tables set outside on a beautiful April day. I had this dish, Sausages and Lentils and it was perfect for a weary hungry traveler. The food and kindness of our server was so great we returned 3 days later, to have our last meal in Paris before heading home.

    Have a good day. (Oh, and I love the verse you mentioned - from the Sermon on the Mount :-)

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    Replies
    1. Dear Susan, I'm happy to read again ! Hope you're fine :)
      I'm glad to know I'm not alone to think this way with News... Sad, don't you think ? You're living in Europe, close to my country, so I guess we've got the same type of news...
      Yes, saucisses lentilles is a classic of French bistro cuisine :) It's very very good. ANd it can be cooked very easily. Of course, not like in a restaurant, but the same will be almost the same.

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  2. Hello, a quick question: what sausages do you prefer to use? There are so many available in our markets here in Zurich (many French origin) that I get confused sometimes as to which to choose. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. I use Saucisses of Toulouse. Because, for us, they are better. But you can use any type of sausages, don't worry. The ones you like, this is good :)

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  3. Axelle, Like you and Susan I do not watch the TV news anymore. We do get the newspaper, but I only read the articles that have information I need and the comics...I do enjoy reading the comic section. Smile! There is so much that is beautiful in the world and it is good for our souls to think on those things. Kind friends who share their recipes are beautiful to me...that means you! Thank you for what you cook and what you write. I like coming here. love and prayers, jep

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jep, for what you say. I don't read newspaper, but internet news. This is almost the same. I thought too I could choose what I read. But I realized I was impacted too by titles. For example : "A child of 5 years has been kidnapped in ...".
      And this is it .. I take it in my heart...
      But you're right, we have to focus on good and wonderful friends ! Thank you for coming here and posting, Jep ! :)

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  4. Dear Axelle, We read the Wall Street Journal in my house because of my children. The Wall Street Journal doesn't dwell on all the licentiousness, rape, and mayhem out there but you do get the picture. Lots of business, too, which is invaluable. The children have benefited greatly: the variety of articles is wonderful, mostly excellent writing, and frankly, they still have to learn about the world and it's affairs and the way the human heart operates. Whereas I, in my jaded years of 45, know the possibilities already. I like the crossword. And I love your cooking! I use lentils in soup with lemon. I've never used them out of soup. This looks delicious and I'm going to make it! Regards-Jamie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Jamie, finally I feel less alone, to know that a lot of you think a little bit as I think.
      Yes, you're right, we can maybe have the equivalent of Wall Street Journal, with Le Monde or Les Echos. I try to read Le Monde, but even on those subjects, politic makes me worry ... Where do we go ? Why et where those people are driving the world ? Are we right to ... "trust" them ...Etc...
      I think at the moment, I need some fin and light thought ! :)
      And thank you so much for your words, each time. Really, Jamie, I'm happy to know you read and cook my recipes sometimes. Really. And we're close in age !! :D

      Delete
  5. I don't have a television because I don't want the news and the ads and the noise and the idiotic stuff in my house! I do watch idiotic tv series on the internet, though, but not the news. The only "news" I get is through Facebook, when my friends mention something (like the horse story). But politics in Canada is as depressing as it is everywhere else in the world so I am exactly like you, I can't take it, it's just not helping me live a better life to know all the horrible things out there.

    And sadly, there is no good sausage here but today I'm making a chicken stew and I am super excited :)

    PS. Did you get my little package? Some of the postcards I sent at the same time are just arriving at their destination so I am hoping your present will arrive soon :)

    XOXO from Canada!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Dr CaSo, the same ! For example, I'm able to watch TV series very hard or trash, with murders. But as I try to explain to my husband, I know it's not for real ! My brain makes the difference between movie violence (even if I don't like when it's too gore) . While when it happens something terrific in the true life, I'm unable to protect myself. So... No more news and FREEDOM !! :D
      Chicken stew ? Yum ! Tell us I hope you'll share it on your blog :)
      And yes .. Now, you know it, I received my little gift :) Thank you so much ! And ... Do I really speak with a south accent ?? :D
      Gros bisous de France !

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  6. I couldn't agree more, the news these days are just depressing. Worst is that it has a negative effect on some people out there to do crazy thing, just to top the last horror "story". It's a good thing that you isolate yourself from those bad news. Well, at least for a while. I think it's better for our healthy. On a lighter note, your lentils and sausages looks wonderful. Now, I just need to get a few sausages and I can make this for dinner tomorrow! Yay. That's a good news. ;)

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    1. Dear Amy, welcome here !
      You're totally right. Sometimes, I feel that News give idea to some people. For example, in France, there's a ... sad tradition. For New Year, young people use to burn cars. And it's a kind of competition ! When journalist talk about it, they know the next year they'll have to make much more.
      I think journalists has a part of responsibility on the images they broadcast.
      Tell me if you likes this dish, please ! :)

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  7. The news depresses me also. This dish, however, is something to be cheery about! Can't wait to try it...

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    1. Welcome in our protective cocoon, RMW ! :)
      Thank you for your words !

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