Hearty Lentil & Vegetable Soup

2 T vegetable oil

3 leeks, green parts only, finely sliced

3 carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

1 c lentils

1/3 c rice

4 c stock

1 c frozen corn

Garnish with fresh chives and sour cream

1. Saute leeks, carrots, and celery. Cover and cook until tender.
2. Stir in lentils and rice. Add stock and boil for about 20 min (until rice and lentils are tender).
3. Add corn and cook 10 more min.

Misir Wot (Ethiopian Spicy Lentils)

1 1/2 c. red lentils

3 c. water

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 T. olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 T. Berbere spice mix (see recipe on this blog)

1. Heat oil in a large skillet and saute onions until they're translucent. Add garlic and lentils.
2. Stir fry lentils until the skins become slightly darker. Add water, Berbere spice mix, and allow them to simmer until lentils are soft and nearly disintegrated. (You might need to add more water as the lentils cook.)

Lentil Pizza

1 12" cooked pizza crust (If fresh, spread with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and bake until cooked, but still white)

2 c. cooked lentils

1 14 oz. can petite diced tomatos, drained

3 cloves minced garlic

2 t. dried oregano

1 t. dried basil

1/4 t. ground thyme

salt and pepper to taste

Fresh mozzarella cheese (as desired)

1. Combine lentils, tomatos, garlic, oregano, basil, and thyme in a sauce pan. Heat thoroughly, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
2. Spread lentil mixture over the pizza crust and put slices of fresh mozzarella all over the pizza.
3. Cook at 350 degrees until the cheese has melted.

Kusherie (Egyptian Rice with Lentils)

Adapted from: More with Less Cookbook

Lentils:

2 T. oil

1 1/4 c. lentils

3 c. boiling water

1 t. salt

2 c. cooked rice

1. Heat oil and brown lentils in a covered skillet for 5 min.
2. Add boiling water and salt. Cook until lentils are tender.
3. Stir in cooked rice.

Sauce:

3/4 c. tomato paste

2 14-oz can crushed tomatoes

1 green pepper, chopped

celery leaves from 3 stalks

1 T. sugar

1/2 t. salt

2 t. ground cumin

1/4 t. cayenne pepper

black pepper to taste

1. Mix all the ingredients in a saucepan.
2. Simmer for 20-30 min. (It's worth the wait)

Browned Onions:

2 T. olive oil

3 medium onions, sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced

1. Heat oil in a skillet.
2. Add sliced onions and cook until tender.
3. Add garlic and cook for another 3-4 min.

To Serve:

1. Put the lentil/rice mixture in a bowl.
2. Spoon tomato sauce over the lentils.
3. Put browned onions and garlic on top.

This is also very good with a dollop of plain yogurt on top.