QUINOA and LENTILS Recipe

RECIPE INGREDIENTS: (3 to 4 servings)

👉 To cook the green lentils:
1/2 Cup / 100g GREEN Lentils (Washed/Soaked for 8 to 10 hours or overnight)
1 Teaspoon Salt (I have added pink Himalayan salt)
2 Cups / 475ml Water

👉 To Marinate the cooked green lentils:
1+1/2 Tablespoon Lemon juice OR TO TASTE
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil (I have added organic cold pressed olive oil)

👉 To cook Quinoa:
1 Cup / 190g Quinoa (Washed/Soaked for 30 minutes)
2 to 3 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Cup / 135g Onion
1+1/2 Cup / 200g Carrots (2 medium size carrots)
1 Tablespoon Garlic - finely chopped
3 Tablespoon Tomato paste OR TO TASTE
1+1/2 Teaspoon Paprika (NOT SMOKED)
1+1/2 Teaspoon Ground Cumin
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Salt to taste (I added total 1+1/4 Teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt)
1+1/2 Cup / 350ml Vegetable Broth (LOW SODIUM)

👉 To Garnish:
1/2 Cup / 65g Red Onion - chopped
1/2 Cup / 25g Parsley - chopped
1/4 Cup / 5g Mint OR TO TASTE - chopped
1/2 Teaspoon Ground Black Pepper or to taste

METHOD:

Wash & soak 1/2 cup of green lentils for 8 to 10 hours or overnight. Once the lentils are soaked, drain the water and rinse it. Transfer the lentils to a pot. Add salt and water. Cook over medium-high heat and bring to a vigorous boil. Once it starts to boil, reduce heat to medium-low and cook for about 4 minutes or until lentils are cooked but still holds its shape. WE DO NOT WANT MUSHY LENTILS. Right away strain the cooked lentils. Let it sit in the strainer to get rid of any excess water and allow it to cool down. Once lentils have cooled, add lemon juice, olive oil and mix well. Allow the lentils to marinate while we continue with the rest of the cooking.