BEETNIK RECIPES: vegetarian cooking

I am a huge fan of all things breakfast! So I get excited any time I come across a tasty vegetarian version of traditional breakfast foods. This recipe is based on something I found in Vegetarian Times a while back. The picture that accompanied the recipe looked very pretty; the actual dish…well, let’s just say it tasted great!

Be sure to note the ingredients. Not only is there very little fat in this dish, but it is full of veggies and lentils. And I promise it will satisfy most any biscuit and gravy cravings!

Ingredients:

•1 1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed and drained
•1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
•1/2 large cooking onion, finely chopped
•1/2 large green bell pepper, finely chopped
•1/2 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
•3 cloves garlic
•1/4 cup plus 1 Tbs unbleached flour
•1 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
•1/2 tsp salt
•1 tsp smoked paprika
•1/2 tsp ground yellow mustard seed
•1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
•2 1/2 cups low-fat milk

Directions:

1. Add lentils to 3 cups of water and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil in medium saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until tender (8-10 minutes).
2. Drain lentils and set aside.
3. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook 5 minutes.
4. Add peppers and garlic and cook an additional 5-8 minutes, until vegetables are just tender.
5. Combine the flour and spices and stir into vegetables. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
6. Gradually add milk (1/3-1/2 cup at a time), stirring after each addition. After all milk is incorporated, cook 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly.
7. Remove from heat and stir in drained lentils.
8. Serve over split biscuits or English muffins.

Recommended Serving Instructions:

For a heartier, more traditional breakfast, serve over homemade biscuits with home fries (stay tuned for my favorite biscuit recipe). For a lighter adaptation (and a shorter prep time) serve over your favorite whole wheat or multigrain english muffins and accompany with grilled asparagus or a green salad.

Tips:

•As always, adjust the spices to your liking. I love the taste of smoked paprika, so I sometimes add a tiny bit more so that it’s more present. I also tend to add more pepper flakes for a little more heat.
•I suggest adding some of your favorite veggies to this dish. Whatever you add, just be sure you cut them so that all vegetables are roughly the same size. Also, be sure to add them at the appropriate time so that all vegetables are just tender when you add the flour. Suggested additions: carrots, squash, broccoli stems, and sweet potato.