Today, I want to talk about my go-to legume — lentils. I love lentils. They’re quick and easy to cook. They’re diverse. They’re nutritious. I use them in lentil soup. I cook them with rice or quinoa and serve them with steamed veggies. I use them as meat substitute and make shepherd’s pie or sloppy joes. I even try to make burgers out lentils.Photo from organicroad.com.au
My favorite way to have lentils is in soup. Sometimes I use a recipe and sometimes i just make it up as I go. Last week, for instance, I made a make-it-up-as-I-go soup for a study group I am part of. I cut up an onion and some mushroom caps and put them in my Dutch oven. I sauteed the onion and mushrooms in water and added carrot slices and spices. Then I poured in a can of diced tomatoes and a cup of cooked lentils. I added a little more water, brought it to a boil and then let it simmer for a while. I served the soup to a group of meat-eaters and they all loved it. In fact, there was none left when I came home.
Also use lentils as a meat substitute in shepherd’s pie. I use a small roasting pan and line it with chopped onions and mushrooms. Then I add a layer of cooked lentils, a layer of frozen mixed vegetables, tomatoes and tomato sauce and top it with mashed potatoes. I pop it in the oven and let it bake until the potatoes start to brown and serve hot. Delicious.
Give lentils a try.
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