Mexican Lentil Casserole (or use as a topping for taco salad)
2 tbl vegetable oil
1 med onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
4 cups water
1 cup dried green/brown lentils
1 1/2 cups cooked rice (brown is best)
1 can tomato paste
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
1 tsp chili powder, or more if desired
In a large saucepan, saute onions and green peppers in oil over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add water and bring to a boil. Stir in lentils. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes. Do not drain. In medium sized, lightly oiled, casserole combine lentils with other ingredients. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes at 350.
** We use this as a topping for taco salad instead of ground beef -- It also freezes REALLY well if you use brown rice.
** To make this as a casserole, during the last 5 minutes of baking, top with corn chips and shredded cheese. Great dish for a vegetarian meal.
This probably isn't a recipe where you are going to be able to find everything in your cupboard today to fix dinner for tonight (Sorry Christa). I know this seems awfully complicated for something where you could just use ground beef, but it's sooooooo much better for you! It's still under $5, and it won't expand your waist line every time you eat it. Also, when you use this as a topping, there is no need for refried beans (another fattening ingredient). Just top with cheese, lettuce, and whatever else you use for taco salad. Usually when I make this, I will freeze several portions so I can have a dinner ready for after church or whenever I don't feel like cooking. You can easily re-heat this in the microwave.
Oh... this recipe also came from the book "Easy Beans".... if you can't tell, I really love that book! Also, if you are making this for a Vegan, do not add cheese and make sure your taco seasoning packet is vegan. I was surprised that not all taco seasoning packets are vegan. If you are wondering why I am sharing this, it's because I have a brother that is vegan and I discovered that when I was making the casserole for him. Okay, hope you guys like it!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
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4 comments:
This looks really good. I've got everything for it on hand, too, except maybe the tomato paste. And it looks really healthy, too.
About the passport...since Randy goes to Canada several times a month, I wanted a passport just in case the opportunity to go with him comes. :)
I'm real sorry to ask, but what is lentils??
Lentils are a type of bean that is really small and flat that cooks quickly from dried form AND it takes on the flavors of other ingredients pretty quickly. for a whole bag of dried lentils it's about 67 cents. That bag will feed your family for a good long while. It's great as a filler for soups and such. They look like split peas, but their not... I don't really know how else to describe it. Hope that helps!
this looks fantastic i can't wait to try it! We get lentils for free on WIC, and we all love lentil soup at our house, so it works out great. But this is something new and super healthy! Plus I'm feeling the need for some mexican food this week - definitely on my weekly menu.
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