Kill Your TV Dinner

Fast Lentils

People say they don't have time to cook. How about a healthy, tasty and chhhheeeap one-pot meal in under 20 minutes? This one is damn near impossible to screw up. If you're a beginner, get yourself some good seasoning blends (like the Turkish one used here) at Penzeys and you're halfway there. While slumming it with a can of Hormel is OK once in a while, if you consider yourself an adult you have no excuse for eating crap all the time.

This recipe is also endlessly adaptable. Got a pepper in the fridge? Throw it in! I chucked in some fresh parsley and a splash of white wine last night and it was great. Like balsamic vinegar? Give it a whirl! Want fajita-flavored lentils instead? Try it and tell me if it works. The world is your oyster. Or in this case, your lentil.

Turkish Lentils

2 tbsp oil
1 tsp garlic
1 onion, chopped
1 cup brown lentils
4 cups chicken stock
Turkish seasoning
Lemon juice

Sautee garlic in oil until golden, add onion and cook till slightly browned. Add lentils, chicken stock and seasoning and bring to a boil, then lower heat and cover. Stir occasionally- if more liquid is needed, add a little water at a time. When lentils are tender, it's done. Season to taste with lemon juice and whatever else you think would taste good. Probably not sprinkles.