Sloppy Lentils
Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons olive oil (optional)
- 1 medium size yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ¾ cups dried brown lentils, rinsed
- ¾ cups red lentils, rinsed
- One 14.5 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups water
- 2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: thin sliced red onion, avocado
- Heat oil, if using, in medium sized skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper, cover, cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the chili powder, stirring to coat.
- Transfer the onion mixture to a 4 quart crock pot. Add the lentils, tomatoes, water, tamari, mustard, sweetener, salt and pepper to taste and stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for about 1 hour, turn to low and cook for about 7 hours.
- Serve on top of brown rice or quinoa, or as a sandwich on a whole grain bun or even as a lettuce wrap. Make a green salad and dinner is served.
Hint: Prepare everything and pour into crock pot the night before; store in fridge. In the morning, turn on crock pot for a ready-made dinner right on time. Alternatively this dish can be cooked on the stovetop. Follow directions in step 1, then transfer all ingredients to a large soup pot, bring contents to a boil, then simmer until lentils are soft, approximately 40 - 45 minutes.
