Snow in September?
It is springtime in Kwazulu Natal, right?
Unbelievable, but yes, temperatures plummeted this week, with heavy rain and winds along the coast, and snowfall in higher regions.
What made it difficult was that the worst snow fell the day school holidays began with thousands travelling down to the coast. Major routes were closed, even the N3 freeway, leaving thousands of motorists stranded and having to spend the night in their cars.
The warm hearts of the community came to the rescue as emergency services were stretched to the limit. We're hearing of community leaders opening up local halls to provide overnight shelter, blankets, and food donated by local organizations and individuals, farmers in tractors coming to help, and motorists sharing food and warm clothes. Some guesthouses along the way also offered shelter and food for the night.
Here at home, the rain finally stopped this afternoon, our rainwater tanks are full, and the pool is almost overflowing.
I thought calm had returned on the roads, but I learnt that a section of the freeway is still closed. Some motorists were able to take a detour, but it appears that others are still stranded.
Soup came to the rescue here at home.
I used whatever I could find to make a simple Lentil & Dhall Veg Soup.
When there was a lull in the rain I dashed out and cut a few young Celery stalks growing between Lavender, Rosemary and other herbs in my little herb garden right outside the kitchen.
My soup base was brown Lentils and green Mung Beans (Dhal), with Durum Wheat Pasta Screws to make the soup a more filling and hearty meal.
Lentil & Dhal Soup Recipe
- 200ml brown Lentils
- 200ml green Mung Beans
- 1 Onion
- 2 Potatoes
- 3 Carrots
- small bunch of Spring Onions
- Celery - leaves and stalks
- Handful of baby Tomatoes
- 1 Cayenne Pepper
- 250ml Durum Wheat Pasta Screws
- Seasoning to taste or vegetable broth cubes
Rinse lentils and mung beans, and place in deep pot, or pressure cooker
Process the carrots, onion, and potatoes in a food processor (one can dice or grate them for a more chunky soup)
My food processor is almost as old as I am, but still does the job. A couple of potato chunks refused to be processed so I roughly chopped them into smaller pieces
Dice spring onions and celery
Add all vegetables on top of lentils and mung beans
Add pasta screws, vegetable broth or water, and seasoning to taste
Pressure cook as per instructions, or cook on stove top till soup starts to thicken
Serve with toasted sourdough bread and a vegan margarine or vegan butter
Bσɳ Aρρҽƚιƚ Fɾιҽɳԃʂ!
It was a freezing cold night, and I kept on thinking of those stranded motorists unable to get to town centres having to spend the night in their cars, They would have welcomed a bowl of my steaming hot nourishing soup!
A kind neighbour called out of the blue last night offering us pancakes. It was the perfect end to our simple meal on an unusually cold September night!
Create your own Forever Memory Bank
Join our community of awesome content creators
right here on HIVE
𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙩 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩
Join our Silver Bloggers community 
Artwork by @artywink
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
Join our Silver Bloggers community
Artwork by @artywink
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
I would sleep in my car with this weather if it could get me to your house for a bowl of that soup. It's right up my alley. Getting fresh celery and herbs is a dream. I can already imagine the comfort of every spoon full.
I hope the sun comes and hangs in for a good long time. Wishing you good days my friend.
It would be such an absolute treat to enjoy a meal with you Carolyn! When I bought the celery plants, they were marked as Dhania (Coriander). The leaves looked the same, but they grew bigger and bigger, till I eventually broke off a leaf and realized it is celery. They are lovely when they're so young.
A young family checked in on Thursday, they left a day before schools broke up, and it's rained every single day. That did not stop them from going out, but they want to get to the beach. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring some sunshine!
Have a lovely weekend further my friend <3
You've been curated by @plantpoweronhive! Delegations welcome!
Thank you so much @plantpoweronhive <3
Oof sorry to hear it's all snowy and cold there, but glad to know you're keeping warm. As ever, I'm in awe at your inventiveness as a chef (and right now really hungry for some lentil soup). Thanks for giving me ideas, my dear <3
Awe thank you @honeydue, it's just a simple soup, but delicious. Fortunately, we're only having rain off and on, but it's still ice cold, Many of those poor motorists are still stuck as all 4 lanes of the freeway are gridlocked with cars and container trucks - abandoned cars also have to be moved by authorities, quite a dilemma! This is now the 3rd day, I'd hate to be there!
Truly your lentil soup dish looks comforting, I would eat a bowl of it with pleasure.
I send you greetings @lizelle and hope the weather improves over there.
Thank you @carisma77, we heard that traffic still has not been cleared altogether with 4 lanes gridlocked with many trucks and light motor vehicles. Many abandoned their cars, which is also causing a problem as authorities haveto move them out of the way. It must be awful!
Oh my friend @lizelle that soup looks very tasty, I love lentils and this preparation is very nutritious and delicious 😋 hugs 🤗
It was delicious, I'm actually having another helping of the soup for lunch today, it made enough to freeze. Have a wonderful Sunday @mayramalu <3
Thanks very much dear. That's wonderful, I too have plenty of beans to freeze. Have a nice Sunday 🌻🤗
There is nothing better than a good soup on a cold day. The one you prepared looks very appetizing. I hope it is not the only one you prepare. Keep warm and don't go out in the cold rain. I hope the weather improves. Best regards.🤗❤️
I saw the photos of the snow up there! Looks crazy!
Soup looks great! I love the ingredients list! Just need to upscale it for a family of 5!
I love it , I must admit lentils soup it's one of my favourite dish in autumn and winter and I like the way you made it you give me new ideas 💡💡