You know how some food smells are icky* and some food smells make you run up the stairs in the front hallway, salivating with anticipation of the kettle boiling inside? This soup is the best-smelling thing I've cooked in a long time, and it's pretty tasty, too. The smell is soft and buttery, with an edge of dill and vinegar and browned meat. It lasts for about two minutes when you come into the house, and in those two minutes, you feel safe and at home.

Best-Smelling Sausage, Lentil, and Kale Soup, modified from this recipe. Takes about 45 minutes, makes a full stockpot.

• 7-inch piece smoked kielbasa, sliced thin
• Olive oil if necessary
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 small onion, sliced thin
• 1 1/2 cup lentils, picked over
• 4 1/2 cups water
• 4 1/2 cups chicken broth
• Small to medium bunch kale, stems and center ribs discarded and leaves sliced thin (about 6 cups)
• 3 Tablespoons red-wine vinegar
• Dill to taste (be generous)
• ((We were out, but next time I would add a little caraway. Tell me if you try it.)

"In a 3-quart heavy saucepan brown sausage over moderate heat and transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. If there is more than 3 teaspoon fat in pan pour off excess; if there is less, add enough oil to measure 3 teaspoon fat. Cook garlic, stirring, until golden. Add onion and cook, stirring, until softened.

Add lentils, water, broth, and sausage and simmer, covered, 30 minutes. Add kale and simmer, uncovered, until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in vinegar and salt and pepper to taste"** and then add lots of dill until the smell turns buttery and the broth lively.

*I'm looking at you, bacon. Good food smells do not linger about in your clothes, uninvited.
**Directions are from the original recipe at Epicurious.