Lenten Lentils, Oaxacan-Style

EdsGirlAngie's Note:

These unusual, luscious lentils are a traditional Lenten meal of Oaxaca, Mexico. Pineapple, plantain, cloves and allspice give this dish a tropical feel - plus there's plenty of garlic for zip. Garnish with fried plantain slices.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

For lentils

• ¾ cup dried lentils
• 4 cups water
• 2 cloves garlic , halved
• ½ white onion , halved (so it's in quarters)

The dish

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic , minced
• ½ white onion , chopped
• 1 plantain , peeled and chopped
• 10 ounces cans unsweetened pineapple slices , cut into chunks
• 2 medium ripe tomatoes , peeled,seeded and chopped
• ¼ teaspoon clove
• ½ teaspoon allspice

Directions:

1. Bring lentils and water to a boil, with 2 halved garlic cloves and 1/2 white onion.
2. Reduce heat, then cover and simmer over low heat about 20 minutes or until lentils are tender but not mushy.
3. Drain and reserve lentil cooking liquid.
4. At this point, I like to fish out the garlic halves but leave the onion, which breaks down in the lentils.
5. Season with salt.
6. Heat oil in large saucepan and saute chopped white onion and the 2 minced garlic cloves until onion is soft.
7. Add plantain, pineapple and tomatoes; cook until plantain is soft, anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes.
8. Add lentils and some reserved lentil cooking liquid.
9. Continue cooking until mixture thickens a little; add more cooking liquid or even some vegetable or chicken broth if necessary so lentils aren't dry.
10. Serve garnished with fried plantain slices.

Reviews

[Geniale Genie]

This is an a-maz-ing recipe! I did the lazy-man's version and I just threw the chopped onion, minced garlic, small Dupuy lentils, pineapple, plantain, spices, 2 cups of tomato juice, and 1 cup of water in a heavy pot and simmered (covered) for about 45 min.

[Vegwife]

Wow. This is so good and different. I really like the complexity of the flavors. Thanks for posting.

[Pat M]

We loved this, I've made it twice. We're trying heart-healthy foods, and this was perfect. Tasty and different from the usual lentil soup.