Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Not a Crock Crock-pot Lentil Chili!

Jason and I had this on Monday night - talk about a surprise! It's a vegetarian dish, but it tastes like meaty chili - go figure!

Ingredients
  • 1 medium-size onion diced
  • 1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 1 jalapeno seeded and chopped - watch out for those seeds!
  • 2-3 ribs celery
  • 1-2 cups carrots chopped (just depends on how much you like carrots!)
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 2 1/2 (1 small bag) dried brown lentils rinsed and picked over
  • 2 cartons chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • salt to taste

Directions

  • Combine all ingredient - except olive oil and salt - in a slow cooker
  • Cover and cook on LOW 7-8 hours
  • Before serving add olive oil and salt to taste

Serving and Leftover Recommendations

  • This stuff tastes great served over brown rice
  • You also might want to try serving it up with sour cream, chopped green onion and fresh tomatoes
  • Next time I think we're going to add chick peas
  • We're planning on using the leftovers tomorrow night in some vegetarian quesadillas or burritos with some cheese, black beans and maybe chopped broccoli

2 comments:

Susan said...

That looks most excellent. I'll have to try it sometime next week!

Neltner said...

Just and update - I did turn this into vegetarian quesadillas...yummmm

To make the quesadillas in a large skillet heat a couple of large spoonfuls of the lentil chili, a can of black beans, drained, rinsed and partially smashed, chopped broccoli, green chilies chopped, frozen corn, salsa and a dash of cayenne - heat through

Spray a clean skillet with cooking spray and begin heating a whole wheat tortilla - when tortilla is warm, put a large spoonful of the vegetarian filling in tortilla - sprinkle with cheese and fold in half - heat each side until cheese is melted and tortilla is slightly browned

This is a keeper!