A Game Without Energy

The game at Target Center was one that left many feeling empty. The energy in the arena was almost non-existent, and the Timberwolves team seemed to mirror that lack of enthusiasm. This loss marked the fifth consecutive defeat for the team, a streak that hasn’t occurred in nearly four years. It’s clear that the bench was once again a significant factor in the team’s struggles, with players like Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle not performing up to their usual standards.

Despite the overall disappointment, there were some moments worth noting. Minnesota managed to keep the game competitive in the first half thanks to strong performances from Donte Divincenzo and Anthony Edwards. Additionally, Joan Beringer continued to demonstrate the kind of dedication and effort that is always inspiring, especially for a young player trying to make his mark.

This game was certainly not one to remember fondly. Watching it was an experience filled with frustration rather than excitement. While there were some positive aspects, such as seeing Steph Curry continue to shine on the court or the nostalgic presence of Prince jerseys and courts, these elements didn’t bring much joy to the atmosphere.

Instead of focusing on the game, I found myself thinking about something more personal and comforting—making lentil soup. Here’s how I did it:

How to Make Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 package of red lentils, washed and soaked
• 2 cups homemade chicken stock
• 1 large ginger root
• 1/2 large onion
• 1 small serrano pepper (you can choose any pepper you prefer)
• 2 cloves garlic
• Choice of spices (I used turmeric, red chili flakes, five spice, cumin, and cardamom)

Step 0: Prep Work

Soak your lentils for at least an hour in room temperature water. Soaking them longer will result in softer lentils, while shorter soaking times will keep them crunchier (though I can’t imagine why anyone would want that).

Peel your ginger using a spoon. Some people like to boil it before cooling it down to soften it, but this step is completely optional.

Blacken your pepper on the stove. If you’re using an electric stove, you can use the oven instead. While you won’t get the same smoky effect, it’s still a viable option.

Dice your onion roughly, avoiding large pieces. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger.

Step 1: Sauté Onions and Garlic

Sauté your chopped onions and garlic in a pan. Add a bit of table salt to help the process along. You can also add a small mixture of one part vinegar to two parts water to speed things up. Keep stirring until the onions turn golden.

Step 2: Add Spices and Aromatics

Add your aromatic spices (chili flakes, cardamom if you’re using pods, ginger, etc.) to the pan along with the chopped pepper. If needed, add a little more oil to prevent burning. At this point, the aroma should be quite pleasant.

Step 3: Add Lentils and Stock

Use a bit of stock to scrape any burnt bits from the bottom of the pan. Although we aren’t using meat, this step adds a nice touch. Add your lentils with half of the drained water. Then add the rest of your stock and some bay leaves.

Optional Step 3.5:

Initially, I had planned to add ox tail to the soup, but I couldn’t find any suitable cuts. Instead, I opted for beef neck meat, which is more affordable and has a similar texture. I browned it in a pan with flour and deglazed the pan with some leftover wine. Feel free to add this to your pot if you’d like.

Step 4: Cooking Process

If you’re using a pressure cooker, set it to the “soup” function and let it cook for a few hours. Otherwise, place your pot on the lowest heat setting and leave it. Check it every 30 minutes or so. If it becomes too thick before you’re ready to eat, add some water and mix it in. If it’s still too thick when you’re ready to eat, you’ll just have to wait a bit longer.

Step 5: Enjoy Your Meal

Once your soup is ready, enjoy it. Share it with friends or family. Take care of yourselves and each other. Use the leftovers creatively—put it on top of pasta with some parmesan or use it as a sauce for pizza dough.

While I don’t know if everyone will enjoy this recipe, I hope it brings some comfort and warmth to those who try it. There are more important things in life than basketball.