Thanks so much everyone for your useful ideas. I"ll post photos of your suggestions realized

Sounds like a comforting soup to me.

I would top with a vinaigrette for a salad, and garnish with a little goat cheese

veggie burgers! add an egg, a few tablespoons flour, any cooked grains or veggies, spices, form into patties and broil. you can then sautee some for a better texture and freeze some for later use.

Sounds like it would make a lovely soup, or a warm lentil salad.