Lentils

 
Lentils are cheap, easy to prepare, and really good for you. They can stretch the use of meat in a recipe also. What else is there to say? Here are my top three ways to use them.




                                      Lentil Sloppy Joes


1 lb. groung turkey or beef
1 onion-chopped plus some garlic (to taste)
1 green pepper-chopped
2 cups brown lentils
1 can tomato paste
about 3 cups stock or water


all seasoning amounts are approximate:
1-2 Tbl. sugar
1 tsp. salt
a couple dashes Worcestershire sauce
a couple dashes pepper
any type of b-b-q sauce or seasoning if desired


Brown the ground turkey, onion, and pepper. Stir in lentils, tomato paste, and water. Simmer until lentils are tender; about 20 minutes. You may need to add more water and stir occasionally.  Add seasonings etc.. to taste and serve over buns with cheese. should serve 8-10 depending on appetites.








                                       Lentil-Rice Pilaf


2 cups brown lentils
1 1/2 cups long grain brown rice
1 large bunch green onions chopped
3 cloves garlic-minced
4 Tble. butter
5 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp. salt
2 Tble. parsley
a couple dashes pepper-to taste
(a lemon-pepper seasoning works great)


Saute the lentils, rice, onions and garlic in the butter. Add broth and seasoning; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 30-40 minutes. I shamefully always peak at my rice to see if it is done so I'm not precise on the cooking time. This feeds a large group as a side. I like to add a little lemon juice at the end sometimes. 








                                Chocolate-Lentil Cake


2 cups water
2/3 cup brown lentils
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
barely 2 cups sifted flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt


Bring water to boil. Add lentils, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Drain, but save the liquid.
Add 1/2 cup liquid back to lentils and puree in a blender. Beat together sugar, oil, and eggs. Add vanilla and pureed lentils. Sift and add remaining ingredients. Mix until smooth. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350* for 30 minutes. Let cool and frost if desired but it's good on it's own too!