No such thing as too much garlic... or is there?

Let me just start by saying I love garlic! I don't understand what people mean when they complain of "garlic breath", for I have no idea what that smells like :)

Tonight's dinner was going to be quick and easy, low key and comforting. I made my easy Red lentil soup with carrots and red peppers. This is a great recipe to do on a busy night since red lentils cook up quickly

• 1 medium onion chopped
• 1 clove garlic mined
• 1 pinky sized ginger minced
• 1 1/2 cup of red lentils
• 3 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1/2 red pepper diced
• 2 pieces of roasted red pepper diced
• 1 cup crushed tomato
• 4 cups of veggie stock
• 1 bay leaf
• salt and pepper to taste

1. In large dutch oven, saute onions, garlic, ginger until softened (5 minutes)
2. Add carrots, peppers, cook for 3 more minutes
3. Add lentils, cook for 1 minute
4. Add stock and bay leaf. Simmer on low for 10-15 minutes until lentils are soft.
5. Using immersion blender, puree until desired smoothness (don't forget to take out the bay leaf!)
6. Add crushed tomatoes, simmer for 2-3 minutes
7. Add salt/pepper to taste.

I top this soup with a little sour cream blended with minced green onions and chili powder. It adds a nice creamy zing to the mix and looks pretty :)

Now, nothing goes better with soup than a tasty sandwich. Using some yummy whole wheat Miche bread from Loblaws, or any whole wheat bread/foccacia will do.

Slice bread and brush a little olive oil on each side. On one slide, add some creamy goat cheese (again with Loblaws/PC, they have a yummy goat cheese spread!), some thinly sliced roasted red peppers and baby spinach. I grilled mine using a panini press/grill from Jamie Oliver's TFal line. Grill each side for 3-5 minutes on low-med heat.

As you can see from above, for added zing, while on the grill, you can rub a garlic clove over the bread. The heat and texture will melt the garlic. First time I did it was a sucess, the second sandwich... woooooweee.. i think I may have overdone it :(
Lesson: be gentle with the garlic rubbing :)