I’m a day late for the the What’s On My Plate Challenge hosted by TheWidowBadass and Retirement Reflections. No excuse really, other than I didn’t get round to writing it yesterday!
So for this month’s entry during lockdown in New Zealand, I am turning to The Pandemic Pack Collaborative Cookbook for inspiration. As I mentioned in a previous post, a number of cafes and restaurants around the city have got together to produce a little cookbook, available as a pdf from as little as NZ$10. It is a great idea and a good and simple way to support local business.
For my first dish from the book, I made the Mushroom and Puy Lentil Soup from Capitol Restaurant, a favourite place in town (where we plan to go for our wedding anniversary at the end of the month, lockdown permitting). I had a good supply of Puy lentils in the store cupboard, and got two types of mushrooms, with shiitake offering a nice bite, thyme and parsley from the garden, and a lemon and sour cream garnish,
It is suggested that it is enjoyed with a good glass of pinot noir, which we did, and bread from Arobake. This is a gorgeous soup that I would definitely make again with a little less liquid.
Other bloggers to check out participating in this challenge are Deb’s World and Touring My Backyard.
You can find Thistles and Kiwis on Facebook, and also on Instagram @thistlesandkiwis. As for Twitter….am totally inactive these days. If you want to get in touch, email me on thistlesandkiwis@gmail.com
Thistles and Kiwis 
That soup looks fantastic! We are coming into soup weather, and I will keep it in mind for the cooler days of autumn.
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It was really good and I will definitely make it again. I usually use red lentils, but using the Puy ones made it a richer dish somehow.
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Any soup with lentils gets my vote.
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Me too!
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I’ve read about Puy lentils but have yet to source some. I like red and green lentils. I wonder what makes these special? The soup looks great, btw. Thanks for the shout-out, and joining in on the fun!
Deb
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The Puy lentils are a sort of blue-green colour and keep their shape more when cooked unlike red lentils. I just get them at the supermarket. Thanks for hosting!
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I’ve been making soups too, asian food like Vietnamese and Japanese is my favourite type and over lockdown instead of pigging out on baking I’ve been trying new recipes, especially ones inspired by veges/tofu/healthy food, I feel like it’s made a difference in my energy levels.
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I haven’t done as much baking this time around either, as this time around it is just two of us. Last time my step-son was with us is I could guarantee any baking would be gobbled up! Need to do more Asian cooking I think.
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Such a yum meal, it actually looks like you are eating at a restaurant, such fun.
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Agreed! You have set your table so nicely. And those cheerful curtains in the background are a nice touch!
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I like the words “puy lentils” – it makes me smile for no particular reason except that it sounds cute. I also like eating them – never thought to pair them with mushrooms …. I am enticed!
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It was a really lovely warming dish – worked really well.
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Yum. That looks like a fabulous soup. Here’s to lockdown lifting as scheduled for Wellington.
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Fingers crossed!
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Fabulous! I love the variety of all the recipes and food people share in these challenges!
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I absolutely love that cafes and restaurants in your area have produced a Pandemic PDF cookbook. What a great idea. Your soup looks delicous.
Thank you so much for contributing to #whatsonyourplateblogchallenge. We greatly appreciate it.
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Yes it was a great idea – some nice recipes and kept the venues alive somehow. Off tomorrow to perennial favourite Field & Green as things open up slowly again. It was fun to participate!
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