Fresh out of college looking for a job with flexibility for auditions, I worked as a cater waiter.  Though it was not by any means the most glamorous job in the world (that would be Official Wine Taster & Massage Connoisseur of the EU), there were some perks.  I served dinner to several C-list celebs, witnessed some truly awesome centerpieces, and I saw Eddie Money perform at the opening of the Calabasas Commons strip mall.  As we delivered plates via ballet-service to the guests, Eddie Money crooned, “Two Tickets to Paradise.”  During a music break, he toyed with the lyrics a bit.

“That’s right,” he yelled out, “two tickets to the Calabasas Commons!”

There was a lesson in there for a struggling actress.  Even if fame came, it could all be fleeting.  Success can be huge, and then the next big job could be a mall opening.

“I made millions on that song,” Eddie said.  “I only wish I’d saved some of it.”

These days all of us are watching our spending.  Sometimes people think it’s just too expensive to eat healthfully.  This is surprising to me, because if you stick around the periphery of the grocery store, where the food has no packaging and ad campaigns, it’s generally quite cost effective.  The lentils in the bulk bin are extremely inexpensive and packed with protein and fiber.  A bag of onions, a bunch of carrots, and some Brussels sprouts don’t amount to much on a receipt, while they do add a lot in terms of antioxidants and vitamins.

Tonight’s dinner of Warm Lentil Salad, Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Caramelized Onions & Toasted Pistachios, and steamed broccoli was quite inexpensive to put together, but absolutely delicious.  The most expensive part of the meal were the pistachios, and I only used a smattering of them.  There are still plenty left for future meals.  The Warm Lentil Salad was quite tangy, seasoned with thyme, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard.  (I think Dijon mustard can overwhelm the delicate lentils, and so I reduce the amount to 1/4 tsp instead.  When my mustard-hating husband is around, I omit the mustard altogether.)  The sweetness of the caramelized onions and salty fat of the pistachios made the Brussels sprouts practically decadent.  In a you-got-your-chocolate-in-my-peanut-butter variety moment, the caramelized onions & pistachios mixed with the lentils were wonderful.  I rounded out the meal with a side of steamed broccoli.

In addition to being a delectable dinner, the lentil salad would also be great reheated at work or taken to a picnic or hike in a thermos.  I imagine the flavors would only develop more with the passing of time.

The moral of all of this, as you’re thinking about lentils and the economy, is to be Money-conscious and take them home tonight.