Alice Waters is an iconic American chef. Her fresh, natural style of cooking changed the American culinary landscape when her restaurant, Chez Panisse, opened in 1971.
Given her résumé and the number of cookbooks under her belt, her personal memoir Coming to My Senses has been much anticipated. One of the best ways to experience her words is with the audiobook, which she narrates. Hearing her recall triumphs and challenges as she shares stories, recipes, and letters, you will feel like she’s chatting with you one-on-one.
Why not listen to the audiobook while you cook? To get the full Alice Waters experience, try making one of her recipes. Here’s a hearty and satisfying lentil-soup recipe from her My Pantry cookbook.
Lentil Soup
4 to 6 servings
This lentil soup is inspired by the flavors of Lebanese cuisine. The fresh spinach and chopped cilantro that go in at the last minute, along with the generous splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice, give the earthy lentils a bright, fresh burst of flavor.
1½ cups green lentils
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 small carrot, diced
1 small celery stalk, diced
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
2 large or 3 small garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and ground
¾ teaspoon coriander seeds, toasted and ground
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
2 quarts vegetable, chicken, or beef stock, or water
1 bunch spinach, leaves only, rinsed and roughly torn
Fresh lemon juice
½ cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
Plain yogurt (optional)
Sort the lentils, removing any debris, and rinse thoroughly.
Pour the oil into a heavy-bottomed soup pot and heat over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and sauté until tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and add the garlic, cumin, coriander, and cayenne (if using).
Add the lentils and stock to the pot along with a few pinches of salt. Bring to a boil, skimming any foam off the surface. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the lentils are soft and fully cooked, 25 to 45Â minutes.
Add the rinsed and torn spinach leaves and cook for a couple of minutes to wilt the spinach. Just before serving, squeeze a good amount of lemon juice into the soup and garnish each bowl with a sprinkling of cilantro. A dollop of yogurt makes a delicious garnish.
Variations
- Any kind of lentil will do, or you can mix together different kinds.
- For a wintertime variation, instead of spinach, add kale when the lentils are almost cooked through and add cubes of roasted winter squash just before serving.
- In the summertime, peeled chunks of tomato complement the spinach, and basil can be substituted for the cilantro.
- If using beef stock, a richer soup can be made by adding ¼ cup red wine to the mirepoix (onion, carrot, celery mixture) after it has fully softened. Cook the wine down for a few minutes then add the stock and beans. The cumin and coriander might be replaced with thyme, rosemary, or parsley—or a combination.
Listen to an excerpt of Alice Waters reading her memoir:
The New York Times bestselling and critically acclaimed memoir from cultural icon and culinary standard bearer Alice Waters recalls the circuitous road and tumultuous times leading to the opening of what is arguably America’s most influential restaurant.
And don’t miss the new memoir by Alice Waters’ daughter, Fanny Singer:
A cookbook and culinary audiobook memoir about growing up as the daughter of revered chef and restaurateur Alice Waters: a story of food, family, and the need for beauty in all aspects of life.
For more cooking and listening suggestions, visit our cooking page.