Italian Lentils with Veggies - Healthy: Yum-E!

Lentils are classic, prehistoric in fact. They are so cheap to prepare, yet so comforting, satisfying, filling and Yum-E! Some might think lentil and think: boring! But, Healthy; Yum-E doesn't! Ours are made with full flavor and lots of tasty, aromatic veggies!

What are lentils, anyways? LEGUMES! They are a super, whole, heart-healthy, fiber-filled, energizing, iron-rich, blood-sugar-stabilizing, cholesterol lowering, mineral, vitamin and protein packed, legume*! *nutritional information taken from The World's Healthiest Foods website — yeah, that's right, they are one of the world's healthiest foods... need I say more?


Check these legumes out... (topped with oven roasted chicken breast for added protein)

Italian Lentils with Veggies

1 1/2 T. olive oil

1 medium onion, diced

1 medium red bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup carrots, diced

1/3 cup celery, plus celery leaves, diced

3 garlic cloves

2-3 t. salt, to taste

1-2 t. black pepper, to taste

1 t. dried oregano (fresh is always best - if so, add 2 t. fresh oregano)

1 t. dried basil (fresh is always best - if so, add 1 T. fresh basil, or 1 stalk - my Nonna left it whole, but you can also cut it into ribbons aka chiffonade) 

1/4 − 1 t. crushed red pepper, to taste (the more, the spicier & we like spicy!)

1 can diced tomatoes

1 cup water

1 package dried lentils

Parmesan cheese, for garnish, optional

Saute all the veggies with the olive oil & seasonings over medium heat until slightly softened in large stock pot. Add diced tomatoes, water and lentils. Bring to a strong simmer over medium-high heat, then turn heat down to medium-low, cover and cook for 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender but NOT mushy. The best lentils, in my humble opinion, are al dente (which in Italian means "to the tooth", therefore having a slight bite). Check seasonings and add salt/pepper to taste. Serve as a side, or as a base similar to how you would use rice and top with protein of choice. As pictured above, I topped mine with oven roasted chicken breast (seasoned similarly, roasted at 375 for about 15 minutes or until fully cooked but NOT over cooked) and garnished with extra crushed red pepper and parmesan cheese.

Nutritional information to come

Italian Lentils with Veggies - Healthy: YUM-E!

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