Carla Hall sheds light on a food issue affecting millions of people

Carla Hall is using her platform as a celebrity chef to make people aware of a food issue affecting millions of people. Can you impact a change?

Carla Hall has delighted food fans for years. From her first appearance on Top Chef to her time on The Chew, Hall endeared herself to the food community. Whether it is her vivacious personality or flavorful, approachable cuisine, people are drawn to her and her food. Now, she is using that platform to educate people on a concerning food issue that affects millions of people.

Did you know that nearly 10 million Americans over the age of 50 are affected by hunger? Additionally, those people often lack sufficient quality of affordable, nutritious food. This number is staggering. While childhood hunger and lower-economic communities have been discussed, this older population has gone under the radar.

There are many reasons for this troubling issue. Some older people might forgo buying healthy food because medicine is more important. Others might not want to cook or have difficulty in getting to the store. While the reasons are many, they are really excuses. Changes can be made.

Carla Hall has joined with AARP and Chase on the Drive to End Hunger campaign to shed light on this concerning subject. Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Hall. During this conservation, she offered her thoughts on this hunger crisis, ways to help others and a recipe that is delicious and nutritious.

Carla Hall’s recipe ingredients, photo provided by Chase/AARP

Since it is the holidays, I asked Hall how people can raise this concerning food issue without making people feel too uncomfortable. She agreed that this conversation isn’t on the forefront of everyone’s minds. Instead of making a direct approach, she recommended a more subtle way of addressing the issue.

While many people might not want to come to someone’s house with a bag filled with groceries, people tend to gather together at the holidays. Instead a plate of cookies or cake, why not bring a meal or casserole. That gesture is hospitable, yet doesn’t make people uncomfortable about the difficult subject.

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Even beyond the holidays, people can use this approach any time of the year. Creating a community who supports each other is vital to overcoming this type of hunger epidemic. While one casserole of food is a small gesture, it starts the conversation. A strong, supportive community can make a difference.

Hall talked about how some older people often choose medicine over buying food. When a person is on a fixed income, it can be a difficult choice. Still, without nutritious food, a person’s health isn’t at its best. Finding foods and recipes that are nutritionally dense, flavorful and cost effective are key.

When it comes to creating recipes for the older population, Hall recommended a few items. First, people’s tastes change. For example, spicy foods might not have as much appeal as they did earlier in life. Still, a well-balance recipe (salt, acid, fat) is always essential.

Second, a recipe needs to be nutritionally dense. Recipes that incorporate proteins are satisfying and filling. Add to those recipes fresh herbs and favorite flavors can make that recipe become a new favorite.

Lastly, a recipe that can be made once yet served for multiple meals is a wonderful choice. Some older people may not want to cook a big meal just for themselves. A recipe that can be made once yet repurposed into several additional meals is smart.

Building on these ideas, Carla Hall shared her recipe for Stewed Lentils Over Cornbread. This recipe fits all the criteria that she discussed. The recipe is nutritiously dense, filled with protein, flavorful and can be repurposed into additional meals.

Stewed Lentils over Cornbread by Carla Hall, photo provided by Chase/AARP

Hall mentioned that she thinks that lentils are a great food to incorporate into recipes. Lentils are packed with protein and offer great versatility. Also, lentils adapt to a variety of flavors.

Here is Carla Hall’s recipe for Stewed Lentils Over Cornbread.

"Stewed Lentils Over CornbreadLentils:•1.5 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon olive oil (divided)•1/2 red onion (peeled, small dice)•1-2 carrots (peeled, small dice)•2 cloves garlic (peeled, minced)•1 tablespoon tomato paste•1 cup lentils (rinsed)•3 cups water•1/4 cup parsley (chopped, to garnish)•4 large eggs•1/4 cup sour cream (to garnish)•store-bought cornbread mix (to serve)•Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)•Cook cornbread according to package instructions.In a medium saucepan, add 1.5 tablespoon of olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes or until the tomato paste has slightly caramelized. Add the lentils and water, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 12-15 minutes until lentils are cooked through but still have some bite. Season to taste with salt and pepper.In a large non-stick pan, add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and heat over low heat. Add the eggs and allow to cook, without moving, for 6-7 minutes until whites have cooked through but yolks are still runny. Remove to a paper towel to drain whites or any excess oil and serve immediately.Serve the lentils over cornbread with a fried egg on top. Garnish with parsley and sour cream.Tip: Before rinsing your lentils, sort through them to remove any pebbles or misshaped lentils–this will create a more uniform texture after cooking the lentils."

As one year closes and begins, let us all make a commitment to start the conversation about hunger in the older population. The greatest generation doesn’t need to be ashamed or face a stigma about this conversation. If people come together as a community, a solution is possible.

I would like to thank Carla Hall for chatting with me and sharing her recipe. Additionally, I would like to take AARP/Chase for facilitating this interview.

To learn more about Chase/AARP Drive To End Hunger and to see how you can help, please visit the Drive To End Hunger website.