i love lentils by geninne

lentils. delicious, nutritious and oh, so colorful! lentils are extremely rich in fiber, folate, magnesium and lean protein. not only are they a great source for cholesterol-lowering fiber, but they also help in managing blood sugar disorders since their high fiber content prevents blood sugar levels from rising too quickly after a meal. they are also an excellent source of thiamine, vitamin b-6 and six important minerals. with 17 grams of lean protein in just one cup, 90% of our daily recommendation for folate and virtually no fat, lentils may just be the perfect addition to your meal!

how to cook: black and green lentils keep their shape better when cooked; red and yellow lentils cook faster and break down more. to cook, give them a thorough rinse and put in a pot with one part lentils to two parts water (you can also add in a chopped onion, bay leaf, garlic or carrot if you like!). bring to a boil, then simmer until tender 20-40 minutes (depending on variety). below are a few of my favorite lentil recipes, do you have any you would like to share?

a few favorite lentil recipes:

• lentil cakes
• roasted fall veggies with lentils
• indian-spiced lentils with spinach and rhubarb
• lentil and bulgur soup

wrap up: {beans} {forgotten ingredients} {lean} {legumes} {lentils} {protein}

this week’s seasonal recipe comes from one of my favorite food blogs, the kitchenist! a gal after my own heart, ele is an ecotarian foodie who cooks with a conscious. sharing recipes that are vegetarian, local, seasonal, organic or otherwise sustainable- her blog is full of endless inspiration sure to bring you one yummy idea after the next to keep you eating responsibly (and deliciously!).

this quiche is full of summer goodness with beans and peas galore.  better hurry up and make this one, as beans will be out of season soon and you’ll have to wait a whole year before you can make it again!  grab the green summertime quiche recipe here as well as view all of ele’s recipes to get recipes for the every season.

wrap up: {beans} {local} {peas} {quiche} {recipe} {seasonal} {sustainable}