OMGWTFlentils?

DELICIOUS!

Let me preface by saying that I LOVE the fact that when I go out "grocery shopping" I'm running around to a bunch of crazy local markets instead of going into a Wal-mart or "grocery store." (As we all know, grocery stores really don't carry a helluva lot of food... "food," mainly... food-like substance.

 

SO I've been getting all my stuff fresh. I've been hella sick but I must say eating healthfully makes my body hurt so much less. All the salt and shit and sugar in conventionall food... NO WAY! Makes my body get all out of whack!

Disclaimer: I know that some people can get away with eating whatever they want and still be perfectly "healthy." Fine, but that doesn't quite work for everyone.

Also, listen to NPR's DNA FILES if you want to learn about how environment (which includes diet) impacts the genome. Really interesting stuff. Seriously.

I endorse public radio.

As for the recipe...

Made this up today...

(All ingredients assumed fresh... went shopping in the Italian market and Whole Foods bulk section...)

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cup lentils (I used one cup french lentils, one half cup green lentils)

scallions, about 5 large ones

ginger

garlic

basil, cilantro

ground black pepper

Olive oil, of course. (I also used a touch of sesame-chili oil for flavor)

TO SERVE:

liquid aminos or salt

avocado

hot sauce

(maybe some more chopped cilantro too)

DO IT LIKE THIS:

Chop up ginger, scallions, and garlic, and saute in a big pot for a couple minutes in some olive oil--until aromatic. Add lentils, and 4 1/2 cups water, along with chopped basil, cilantro, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, boil for a few minutes, then cover and bring down to a simmer for another 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils have reached the consistency for which you strive.

You don't want to add any salt until the end, because it toughens up the lentils. In other words, don't get any crazy ideas like cooking them up in broth or anything like that. Yeah, it's been done, yeah, it's fine... But to be honest, I don't think the lentils need the broth anyhow...

But you'll want to salt them up a bit, I'm sure of it. I added the final seasonings to taste, by the bowl. For me, this was a few squirts of liquid aminos, dash of hot sauce, and half an avocado, chopped.

SUPERB!