Pop's Lentejas (Lentils)

My one and only claim to fame in the kitchen is my belly warming lentil stew. It had been a classic dish in the Jim Reed home since we were little boys. It was a favorite for dad to cook when it was his turn to cook for the boys. It was a cheap and healthy recipe, and a filling satisfaction for a growing group of boys. After all, “Beans, beans are good for your heart...” It consisted of a plate or wide bowl of white rice and a generous covering of lentils often smothered in ketchup. Spanish sausage (chorizo) was often included, making it all the more satisfying.
Back to the present, Allyson will admit that her tastes had never been challenged until she met me. In fact, she was downright simple in her culinary experience and would never stray from the “chicken Caesar salad, or chicken sandwich” when we went out to eat. That said, please don’t get the impression that I consider myself a culinary expert either, but I guess I was conditioned, where she was not, to taste and for the most part enjoy whatsoever was set before me. And as you know, I’ve been around. So, when it was time to tempt, or rather convince Allyson to taste the ‘brown mush’ that was set before her just a few weeks into our marriage, it was a sight to behold. Indeed, her declination to taste and much less partake of what I had excitedly cooked was not even acknowledged. That cute little bride was not only going to taste but was even going to like what she saw as nearly repulsive. She finally consented and was pleasantly surprised. Ever since, her appetite has broadened to include many more delicious dishes and she has become an accomplished cook in our own growing home. Maybe some other time she can expound on the fact that what she feared most about getting married was ‘cooking’.
My lentil soup has since become a favorite in our home, more often than not, it is suggested by Allyson and cheered for by the children. It has also become our favorite recipe to enjoy with big table of guests and thankfully we have enjoyed nothing but positive feedback. In fact, in many cases it has been exalted to ‘favorite’ status and at least half of those who have dined with us have asked for the recipe.
I was going to start this phrase by saying “Well, for some reason…” but now I guess the reason is clear. “… I have found myself wanting to exalt the recipe from a ‘classic’ status to a ‘legendary’ status, and I have thus found myself adding spicy and hearty ingredients to make it so.” I suppose the ultimate success of the recipe is the overall experience. It is eaten at home, among family, among friends. It is the perfect ‘hungry man’ stew, it is warm and dreamy on a cold or rainy day, but best of all it brings people together, most of whom want second or third helpings and all end up with a feeling of satisfaction, a feeling of “we did not just eat here today, we have ‘shared a meal together’ and have lingered to retire from it.” For those of you who have tried it before, do come sit with us again. And for you who have not tried it before, do come hungry.
I cannot conclude without including you in my quest for a worthy name for this (Classic, hopefully someday legendary) dish. You see, I am very dissatisfied with what I have been calling it all of this time. Names as generic or simplistic as “Spanish Lentils”, “Lentils”, “Lentejas and rice”, “Lentil stew”, “Lentil soup”, and even “Spanish gumbo”. But I want to call it something more unique and intriguing. Could you help me? Maybe I can make a few suggestions and you can help me narrow it down. For instance I can’t stop thinking of the idea that this might have been the stew that Essau sold his birthright to Jacob for. Alas! I just found the passage( GENESIS 25: 29-34) and have so pleasantly confirmed that it not only mentioned a red pottage (stew?) but in fact it specifies that it was actual LENTILS (ha ha ha, laugh at me or with me, but I am so thrilled) Yes, my friends, the name of this dish has definitely taken a specific direction. Please refer to the poll to help me narrow the name down to its worthy acclamation. Shall it be “Jacob’s Stew” or “Birthright Stew” or “Essau’s demise” or “Birthright Lentils” or “Feed me for I am faint-Lentils” or “Hunter’s grub” or “Lentejas a la Jacobo” or “Lentejas primojenitas”. Have you any other suggestions? Growl, people! It is lunchtime and I have no “Lentejas” to speak of. How about “Genesis 25 Lentils” “Birthright Lentil Soup” “Birthright Lentil Stew” “Essaw’s Lentils” “Inheritance Lentils” “Red’s Lentils” (Essau was redheaded) “Reed’s Red Lentils”...