After a tear-jerker post about a deceased relative I miss…
…and a post about Va-ja-jays and ta-ta’s…
…it’s time to get back to some regularly scheduled programming.
Here’s a one pot, gluten free, vegan meal recipe that is ready in less than 30 minutes, makes planned leftovers, costs next to nothing, and is hearty and satisfying. How’s that for killing seven two birds with one stone?
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Chipotle Salsa Lentils with Mixed Vegetables
Ingredients
1 c dry Lentils
1.5 c Salsa (I used a small jar of Pace)
1 Tbsp Chipotle seasoning (I used Mrs. Dash)
1 Tbsp Sugar (optional)
1 c diced Vegetables (I used carrots and broccoli stalks)
Directions
Cook 1 cup dry lentils with 2 cups water on stovetop (Bring the lentils and water to a boil, then cover and reduce heat). Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until about 85% of the water has been cooked off.
Add the remaining ingredients.
Stir, cover, and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
Serve.
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Here’s a visual guide of the process
Water + Lentils. Boil, reduce heat & cover
After 15 minutes, 85% of the water is gone
Add everything else, stir, simmer (covered) for 10-15 minutes
Plate & Serve
This was easy, fast, cheap meal when served next to a fresh green salad. Filling, hearty, satisfying. 30 Minute Meals anyone?
The salsa was a nice way to season the lentils because on their own, I find lentils to be quite bland and can even be “earthy” tasting.
Scott had no idea he was eating lentils. His comment, “Whatever that was that you made was actually good.” He grew up a meat and potaotes guy so the fact that he dines on nooch (15 recipes here), raw vegan chocolate mousse made with avocado, and lentils, well, he’s come a long way. I’ll take an “acutally good” any day.
If you’ve never cooked with lentils before, just make sure to not overcook them. Red lentils cook very fast and can turn to mush easily and you can end up with (unplanned) lentil soup on your hands, quickly.
Green and black lentils take longer to cook, but this whole meal, from start to finish, was done in 30 minutes.
The added veggies gave some color, a bit of extra texture and crunch, and more fiber. Not that the lentils on their own are hurting in the fiber department.
And planned leftovers are music to my working mommy ears.
Need other one-pot meal ideas?
Maybe Mango Balsamic Rice, Beans, & Mixed Veggies
Check out This Post for more One Pot Recipes
From my last post about going to the doctor, specifically going to the gyno, thanks for chiming in about your own experiences with going and with monthly self-breast exams. Not exactly on the top of everyone’s to do list, but as I mentioned, it’s one aspect of staying healthy. Being proactive about our health and preventative care just makes sense to me given how much we all care about other aspects of healthy living like food and exercise choices.
Maybe you’d like to wash your lentils down with brownies. I know some people who’ve tried beans or lentils in their brownies. I haven’t gone that far, yet.
Raw Vegan Brownies are as far as I’ve gone.
Questions:
1. Do you like lentils?
I used to love buying lentil salads at WFs. Haven’t wasted money like that done that in years, though. I just make my own now.
2. Favorite way to prepare them?
I don’t cook with them that frequently but I need to start using them more because this was a fast, family-friendly, cheap, vegan meal.
Christine has been sprouting them. That’s next on my to-try list.
3. Anything fun or exciting happen for you today?
I got a package in the mail I was waiting for. Will be posting about it, soon.
Love lentils this recipe (like all the rest of yours) looks really good-total comfort food w/o the puffy stuffed feeling!
puffy stuffy, love that one :)
what a nutrient-dense and delicious looking meal!!
salsa + lentils = fantastic and satisfying combo!!
I like lentils but I don’t think I have ever prepared them myself — for some reason they intimidate me. I love your one pot meals, they look so easy and I love easy clean up!
True Blood dvds are being delivered from Netflix today — I’m excited to watch an episode or two tonight!
You know, I’ve NEVER made lentils…gasp!
Ill have to put this on my “To Do” list :) But – I did make the mango dish last night for dinner….YUM! My (almost) 8 year old gobbled it up…but my 4 1/2 year old didn’t really touch it. Getting her to eat a more vegan diet has been a challenge. But, I’m sure when she’s 100 years old with the energy of a 30 year old, she’ll thank me :)
Oh and something exciting about today? (Just in…) My 4 1/2 year old showed me that she finished her spinach, mixed berry, and banana smoothie :) THAT’S exciting :)
the mango dish….well, just keep trying. my theory too with kids is that just keep offering. And to be blunt, they will eventually get hungry and eat what is served :)
I cooked lentil burgers a few years back. They took hours from start to finish and were less than delicious. I should try again some time with a different recipe.
This 30-minute meal of yours looks wonderful. My husband is a lot like your husband. He threw me for a loop last night–He thought “risotto” was an ingredient that goes IN the risotto. haha We gotta love those meat-loving guys for all their effort! :-D
yes super fast.
nothing like making lentil or bean burgers which ive tried in the past….they take forever and the taste was sub-par for the hubs and for me, i dont like burgers enough to care :) we’re on the same wavelength with the burgers.
I love lentils too, but always seem to forget about them when I think of something to cook, thanks for the reminder sounds yummy!! I don’t think I have tried mexican flavors. I tried your vegan slaw dressing it reminds me so much of broccli salads which I no longer eat bc of the bacon and non vegan dressing.
yes vegan slaw dressing IS based on brock salad and my memories of it :)
I’ve only made lentils once, haha. Yeah, I suck. Soaking/cooking things for that long both intimidates and bores me…I’ve heard you can get them canned though? Maybe I should try that…
YESTERDAY I had something exciting to me…dinner at Candle. Can never have too much dessert from that place!
I didnt soak. I opened a package, poured them into the water, boiled, and in 30 mins, the entire meal was ready!
Today is my first day back to running outdoors and not in a gym in over 6 months. I have decided to try to save some money. I hope it all goes well :)
Haven’t had lentil salad in ages; now I want one. So expensive to buy pre-made, but so cheap and easy to fix at home. Must do.
Usual Thursday schedule for me: Boot-camp this morning, some time at home, then work this afternoon. Which may or may not be fun and exciting; we’ll see!
I love lentils! There’s so much you can do with them. I also love chipotle flavor. YUM.
I LOVE lentils! They make perfect salads, burgers and soups! Yours look delicious!
this is so my kind of recipe! I would put it on a bed of salad as well. Soup on salad, not soup and salad. hehe.
i cooked a lentil recipe from ED&BV last week – turned out great. love YOUR recipe above as it is quicker!!! if your scott loves it, i’m bettin my husband will eat it, too!
thanks for pointing out that red lentils cook faster – i did not know.
can’t wait to see what you received in the mail!!!
One-pot meals are the best! They make student life so much easier:) Slash lentils are one of my favorites, I love making a big pot of them and storing them in the fridge (plain) and then doing single servings when I want them and mixing with salsa, marinara sauce, applesauce, or balsamic vinegar and then mixing with a grain and some raisins. It’s my favorite combo!:)