Lentil Bolognese

Total Time: 1 hr

Prep Time: 20 mins

Cook Time: 40 mins

Yield: 5-8 servings

This is a healthy, yet filling bolognese that is easy to make. Although it has Italian and Mediterranean flavors, you can change the spices to your taste. I decided to make it a bit more Greek by adding touches of cinnamon and oregano as my aunt does for stuffed bell peppers.

Ingredients:

8 oz spaghetti

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 large onion (minced)

2 carrots (sliced)

1 stalk celery (sliced)

4 cups white mushroom (sliced)

1-3 tsp. salt

1-3 tsp. pepper

1/2 cup red wine (or substitute red wine vinegar)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

10-14 tomatoes (diced) (or 28 oz diced tomatoes with 1/4 cup tomato paste)

2 cups vegetable broth

1 cup dried brown lentil

1/2 tsp. basil

1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. rosemary

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. chili powder (optional)

pinch of cinnamon (optional)

pinch of sugar (optional)

Nutrition:

340 calories 3.2g fat 64.8g carbs 13g protein

Steps:

1) Heat a pot over high heat, then heat olive oil and lower to medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until translucent, around 3 mins.

2) Add carrots, celery, mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Sauté until the mushrooms have become golden, around 6 mins.

3) Stir in wine or red wine vinegar, and let it simmer until the liquid is absorbed, for about 5 mins.

4) Add garlic, and continue to stir. Then, add diced tomatoes (and/or tomato paste), lentils, basil, oregano, rosemary, baking soda, and vegetable broth. You may also substitute 1 cup of vegetable broth for 1 cup of water, or use 2 cups of water instead of vegetable broth. Add any other spices if wanted. I added chili powder, cinnamon, and sugar to enhance the flavor.

5) Bring the stock to a boil, then cover it and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer for 40 mins until it thickens. After the 40 mins, if the bolognese is still very liquid, you can add a bit of corn starch to thicken.

6) Serve the bolognese over pasta, or spaghetti squash, or zucchini noodles. Remember when boiling pasta, always add salt! It will make the pasta taste better. You can also add a drop of olive oil. I like to make my pasta al dente.

7) Garnish with parsley and your choice of cheese: parmesan, feta, or a shredded vegan alternative.

Buon appetito!