Lentil Soup

A pound of dried lentils costs $1.50 and contains 13 servings of protein. Add an onion, carrots, celery, canned tomatoes, cumin, and a bay leaf. Total: about $5 for a pot that feeds six. Red lentils dissolve into a creamy, thick base in 20 minutes — no soaking required. Green or brown lentils hold their shape if you prefer texture. Either way, you end up with a soup that nutritionists would put on a poster. It freezes beautifully, reheats perfectly, and costs less than a single Starbucks latte.