If you make a dish like this, you can skip meat and rest assured that you kid is getting all the protein he/she needs. Adding as many vegetables as you have will make it into a sort of nutrition powerhouse. I used mushrooms, celery, carrots and onions. This dish doesn't have sophisticated flavors but it makes for a nice, healthy, earthy, and a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
1 cup french lentils
½ cup rice (white or brown)
½ yellow onion
3-4 garlic cloves
3 celery stalks
3 carrots
5-8 mushrooms (of your choice)
Optional but good: 1 tbsp of butter
Instructions
In a medium pot, heat up a little oil (I used avocado oil). Sauté finely chopped onions and garlic for 5-8 minutes. Add sliced mushrooms. Continue sautéing for 5 more minutes. I like seasoning a little with salt and pepper at this point and adding the butter.
Add finely chopped celery and carrots ( I like cutting in circles). Stir. Sauté for 5 minutes.
Add french lentils, very well rinsed. I don't usually soak lentils but you can (for 2 hours minimum) to speed up the process a little. Pour enough water to cover the lentils by an inch. Bring to a boil and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes. Then add the rice. Continue cooking everything on low heat for 15 minutes. If you feel like the water is evaporating too soon, add a little more. Season with salt. Turn off the heat and let sit under cover for 5-10 minutes.
NOTE: Don't season with salt while cooking as it will make lentils hard.
Recipe by Soren's Purple Plate at https://sorenspurpleplate.com/vegan-french-lentils-rice/