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Red Lentils with Vegetables and Brown Rice

This recipe makes a lot, but the dish tastes even better the second day and lends itself well to variations. For instance, you can warm the leftovers and serve them in whole-grain pita pockets or add 1 tablespoon fat-free Italian or balsamic vinaigrette and 1/2 cup chopped raw vegetables to every 1/2 cup cooked and chilled red lentils.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 8, scant 1 1/2 cups per serving

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium carrots, chopped
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic or 2 medium garlic cloves, minced
4 cups water
3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1 14.5-ounce can no-salt-added stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 cup uncooked red lentils, sorted for stones or shriveled lentils and rinsed
1 teaspoon fennel seeds; dried basil or thyme, crumbled; or dried rosemary, crushed
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups uncooked instant brown rice

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a stockpot, heat the oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the carrots and garlic for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the carrots are slightly tender, stirring frequently.

    Step 2

    Stir in the remaining ingredients except the brown rice. Increase the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Using the stirring spoon, break up any large pieces of tomato.

    Step 3

    Stir in the rice. Cook, covered, for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the rice is tender.

  2. Cook’s Tip on Red Lentils

    Step 4

    Red lentils are colorful (more orange than red), are versatile, and take less time to cook than other varieties. You may need to go to a grocery or health food store that sells items in bulk to find them.

  3. nutrition information

    Step 5

    (Per Serving)

    Step 6

    Calories: 216

    Step 7

    Total Fat: 3.0g

    Step 8

    Saturated: 0.0g

    Step 9

    Trans: 0.0g

    Step 10

    Polyunsaturated: 0.5g

    Step 11

    Monounsaturated: 1.5g

    Step 12

    Cholesterol: 0mg

    Step 13

    Sodium: 266mg

    Step 14

    Carbohydrates: 37g

    Step 15

    Fiber: 6g

    Step 16

    Sugars: 4g

    Step 17

    Protein: 10g

    Step 18

    Dietary Exchanges

    Step 19

    2 Starch

    Step 20

    1 Vegetable

    Step 21

    1/2 Lean Meat

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