Lentil Soup

3 T olive oil
3 medium carrots, diced
3 medium celery stalks, diced
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups water
2 cups lentils
1 15-oz can tomatoes
1 t dried thyme
1 1/2 t balsamic vinegar
2 t salt

Cook carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in the olive oil until tender, about five to ten minutes. Stir in water, lentils, tomatoes, and thyme, bring to a boil, and reduce the heat. Simmer until the lentils are soft, about 30-45 minutes. Stir in the salt and vinegar, and serve.

Christmas Mix (aka Christmas Crack)

2 cups each Cheerios, Rice Chex, Crispex, Kix
12 oz bag holiday M&Ms
10 oz bag pretzel sticks broken in half
1.5 lb white chocolate

Melt white chocolate, pour over other ingredients, mix, spread out to cool.

Clam Chowder

1 cup chopped onion
3 cups diced potatoes
1 bottle (8 ounces) clam juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cans (approximately 7 ounces each) minced clams
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk

Preparation:
Sauté onion in some butter until softened. Add potatoes and clam juice, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Remove from heat. Add minced clams with their liquid. Whisk flour into milk; add to chowder with half-and-half. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until clam chowder thickens and bubbles, or about 3 minutes.