ZAR - something for the weekend - Lentils Special!

Well, you could never describe me as a vegetarian. I am a carnivore through and through. Pulses are however another way of eating protein and varying your diet. I would personally eat this at lunchtime because they are higher in carbs than traditional proteins. You could eat this within a salad or underneath a piece of fish.

Braised lentils

250g brown lentils (prepared according to instructions on bag)
1 red onion finely chopped
2 sticks celery finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, grated
10g butter
1 tsp olive oil
Tbsp fresh thyme

Makes at least 4 serves

Heat butter and olive oil over a medium heat in a heavy bottomed pan. Sweat off onion, celery and garlic. (Sweating veg is when you cook in pad with lid on; this way it softens and keeps moisture in). After about 5 mins, add thyme and cook for about a minute. Add lentils and season with salt and pepper. Turn the heat down and just heat through. You won't need to cook for too long, otherwise the lentils will just turn to mush - they are already cooked.
Carbs 27g, Protein 16.4, Fat 1.2g

I've used dried lentils in this recipe, they are higher in protein than tinned. Very easy. 2 cups of water to 1 cup lentils. Bring to boil and simmer for about 20 mins until liquid has disappeared.

If you've bought a bunch of thyme for this recipe like I did, dry the rest to use at a later date. Lay the thyme out on a piece of kitchen paper and leave to dry for a few days. Take leaves off the branches and put into an airtight container.