My go to cookbook for a perfect soup recipe is still 3 BOWLS, the book I helped create with Seppo Ed Farrey back in 2000. I chose his Mushroom Barley Miso soup for a recent lunch meal at an All Day Sit and it was loved by one and all. With it we served a romaine salad with his Honey-Dijon Dressing with Lime, and Lentil-Walnut Pâté on whole-wheat pita.

I no longer visit the monastery where all the magic for this book happened (but that is another story for another blog post) but many good memories of working in the tenzo (monastery kitchen) with Seppo, the head chef (also called the tenzo), surfaced during lunch. It was as if Seppo had prepared the meal for us. Delicious, satisfying and nutritious! It sustained us all through a peaceful afternoon of silent meditation.

It’s not exactly hearty soup weather right now, but the Lentil-Walnut Pâté is perfect for any season. Click here for the recipe; spread it on sandwiches or a crusty piece of bread. You’re gonna love it! I’ll share the soup recipe sometime in the fall, but if you don’t want to wait, you can buy a copy of the book at your favorite bookstore for that and tons of other timeless recipes. Enjoy!