[Fat Melanie]

Well, running low on groceries and won't be shopping until next Monday. I've kind of brainstormed an idea but my BF told me it sounds disgusting. I however thought it sounded good, reminds me of the Campbell Selectives Italian wedding soup (with little meatballs, spinach, and tiny round noodles in a chicken broth.)

So I have some ground beef, onions, lentils, and mustard greens (I find this to be a good spinach replacement when I have no spinach.) I also have chicken boillioun, seasonings, garlic, and celery.)

I thought I would pre-cook some lentils and set aside.

I thought I could make up tiny little meatballs with the ground beef, bake them, drain any accumulated grease, and set aside. Then start a pot with the chicken stock made from boilloiun (no, I can't spell it) and add the meatballs, celery, onions, mustard greens and lentils.

I thought it sounded good... but any suggestions or tips or am I crazy, does this sound disgusting?

[mandalinn82]

The lentils might be a little odd, but maybe your boyfriend would react more positively if you said you were making Italian Wedding Soup with lentils instead of the orzo? That's basically what you're doing, and I think it sounds pretty good.

[Fat Melanie]

He's strange, he thinks the idea of meatballs in a soup is just plain revolting (but he does love meatballs.) As for lentils, he said, 'wth is a lentil?" when asked if he would eat them. I wonder if he'll be fooled into thinking they're some sort of noodle or grain if I cook them until they're mushy...

I like your idea; tell him it's italian wedding soup with lentils... Then again, I'm not sure if I should include lentils in this soup b/c I'm afraid he won't eat them. I'll give it a try.

[Thin4Good]

I think it sounds like it will be good. I would throw some zucchini in there too if you have any but then again, I seem to be eating a lot of zucchini lately! - I put it in everything!

I don't know about you and your BF but I had to stop tailoring my cooking to DH. It was so difficult for me when we first got married b/c I would try so hard to cook stuff he liked and either only he liked it or neither of us did (usually b/c of some small tweak I made to make our food healthier) - anyway, once I finally stopped, I told him I was cooking what I like and if he wants some he is welcome to it but if not- fix yourself something else. This isn't a diner!

probably not the best way to handle that problem but it worked for me. DH actually eats a much wider variety of food now than when we got married and I don't stress out wondering if he will like what I make.
- Now I've met my unsolicited advice quota for the day. :P

[erikalea]

Mmm...sounds pretty good to me! If your bf won't eat it, you can send his portion up my way!