nO Meat Goodness

If you're anything like me, you are constantly on the hunt for filling, tasty meatless dinners.  Well, we've had some hits and misses, but we tried a winner tonight and I just wanted to share.

Lentils and Spinach over Rice
(got the original recipe here, but my version is way better if I do say so myself)

• 2 cups brown rice (and any additional ingredients required by pkg)
• 2 TBS vegetable oil
• 2 med-large white onions, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup lentils
• 3 cups broth (I used low sodium chicken broth)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 tsp cumin
• 2 carrots finely chopped
• 1/2 of a 14.5oz can diced tomatoes (I used fire roasted with garlic flavor)
• 3 handfuls of fresh spinach (a little more than 4 cups, I think)
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cook brown rice according to package directions.  (Usually 1:2 ratio of rice to water...mix it together in a pot with a pat of butter (optional), bring to a boil then stir, cover and simmer on low for 35-45 minutes.)

While rice is simmering, heat vegetable oil over medium high heat in a stock pot.  Add diced onion and garlic, saute until tender and a nice golden color (about 5-7 min give or take).  Add a splash of the broth and stir, scraping the bottom to loosen any cooked-on garlic/onion goodness.  Add the rest of the broth, lentils, salt and cumin, give it a good stir, then cover and turn down heat to simmer for 35 minutes.  When there are *20 minutes remaining, add the carrots.  When there are 10 minutes remaining, add the tomatoes.  When there are 5 minutes or less remaining, wilt in the spinach.  Season to taste and serve over rice.
*15 minutes or less if you prefer your carrots al dente


I failed to take a picture of the final product because my cooking endeavors are usually not photo-worthy, but the final product looked something like this, only less soupy and with tomatoes
    

(p.s.  the pic is from a lentil soup recipe I found here.  Will have to try it, it looks tasty!)