GNOWFGLINS™

This is the standby lunch I serve for my kiddoes and me when we have no leftovers in the fridge. It is tasty, satisfying, heathy and filling. Actually, it is surprisingly good, if you consider the reputation that lentils and brown rice have as typical and bland health food fare! When prepared as simply and deliciously as this, this dish is nowhere near bland. It is very easy to make, but you must allow enough time. The lentils and brown rice take about 1 hour to cook.

Easy Lentil & Brown Rice Lunch (or Dinner)

• 2 cups uncooked lentils
• 2 cups uncooked brown rice
• 8 cups filtered water
• sea salt
• pepper
• extra virgin olive oil
• low-sodium soy sauce (gluten-free if necessary)
• nutritional yeast (optional)

1. Start a pot of lentils and brown rice to cook.

• Put the lentils and brown rice and water in a large stainless steel pot. Add a bit of olive oil, about 2 tablespoons. Bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to a simmer, then cover and let cook undisturbed for about 50 minutes to 1 hour. Turn off the heat.

2. Now the really hard part! Get out the soup bowls. Fluff to mix up the rice and lentils, as the lentils will probably be on top of the rice. Put about 1 cup (or desired amount) of the brown rice and lentils in the bottom of the bowl. Season it all with sea salt and pepper. Add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over it all (about 1 tablespoon). Add a drizzle of soy sauce over it all (about 1 tablespoon). Sprinkle nutritional yeast over all (optional).

3. Adjust seasonings to taste. Either the server or each individual eater should lightly mix the ingredients in the bowl to incorporate the seasonings. Adjust to taste. Serve with salad or cut up veggies on the side.

If you already have leftovers in the form of lentils and brown rice, here’s how to make this dish. Layer the rice and lentils in a casserole dish. Sprinkle/drizzle with seasonings. Mix lightly to blend all flavors. Taste and adjust seasonings. Cover and reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for about a half hour, or until warm.

Alternately, you may also warm up the lentils, brown rice and seasonings in a cast-iron skillet or cast-iron wok, over medium heat, using a little more oil. Mix lightly to blend all flavors. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve when warm.

© Copyright 2008 by Wardeh Harmon