Snobby Joes

I found this recipe on the web when I searched for cheap vegan meals. It looked easy, so I decided to give it a try.

This is my first experience cooking with lentils. I wasn't sure what to expect, mostly because I can't even recall  eating a lentil until now. And to tell the truth, I was a little scared. Beans can be a little frightening. But, I'm happy to report, am very satisfied with the out come. This dish is tasty and filling.

1 cup uncooked lentils 

4 cups water 

1 tblsp olive oil 

1 medium yellow onion, small dice 

1 green bell pepper, small dice 

2 cloves garlic, minced 

3 tblsp chili powder 

2 tsp oregano 

1 tsp salt 

1 (8-oz) can tomato sauce 

1/4 cup tomato paste 

3 tblsp maple syrup 

1 tblsp prepared yellow mustard

Directions

1. Pour the lentils and water into a small saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil; once the mixture is boiling, lower the heat and simmer for ~ 20 minutes, until the lentils are soft. Drain and set aside.

2. About 10 mins before the lentils are done, preheat a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat. Saute the onion and pepper in the oil for about 7 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and saute for a minute more.

3. Stir in the cooked lentils, chili powder, oregan, and salt. Add the tomato sauce and tomato paste. Cook for about 10 minutes. Add the maple syrup and mustard and heat through.

4. Turn off the heat and let the pot sit on the warm burner for about 10 minutes so that the flavors can meld.

Maple-Mustard-Glazed Potatoes and String Beans Isa Chandra Moskokowitz Recipe

Maple-Mustard-Glazed Potatoes and String Beans---YuM!!

This is truly a heavenly dish!! Goodness dripping from every bite! Most important, it is fast and easy.  Plus there's not too many ingredients. It's cooks for an hour and 15 minutes, kind of a bummer. But it's worth the wait!

What you'll need...

2 pounds small Yukon gold potatoes, halved(about 1-inch pieces)
1/2 pound string beans, halved, ends cut off and discarded(I used canned)
1 yellow onion, thickly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons tamari or soy sauce
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons olive oli

Preheat oven to 400.

Place the veggies in a 9x3-in casserole dish. In a mixing bowl stir together all the other ingredients until the mustard is dissolved. Pour over the veggies and mix will until everything is coated. Cover with foil and place in oven. Bake for 25 Min. Remove from oven and toss everything: use a spoon to drip the sauce over the veggies. Turn oven down to 350, and cook for 25 minutes uncovered. Remove from oven. toss again, cook for 25 more minutes uncovered.