Lentil & Rice Salad

A sister in our ward brought this to a potluck and it was delicious!  Wonderfully filling - garlicky and fresh tasting.

 1 1/2 cups lentils (cooked)

 1 1/2 cups rice (cooked)

 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Pinch of basil

 Juice of one lime

2-3 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
Salt & pepper to taste

Cook lentils according to package. Set aside to cool.
Cook rice according to package. Set aside to cool.
When cool, combine lentils, rice and remaining ingredients in bowl. Toss gently.
Let stand 20 minutes before serving.

Cinnamon Candied Cucumbers

My mom just came for a visit and brought me the tastiest cucumbers ever!  This is the genius solution to those overgrown cucumbers that you miss on the plant until they're too bitter to eat.  It takes a couple of days to make them because you have to soak them in pickling lime before candying them, but I think it was worth the effort - you end up with deliciously crunchy, sweet cucumber rings!

You can find the recipe here.  Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Custard

Whenever I make this, my kids think it's a special occasion.  They are thrilled that they get to eat "dessert" with dinner, so I forget to tell them that it's good for them too.

Custard:

1 cup cooked sweet potatoes, mashed

1/2 cup mashed banana

1 cup evaporated milk or buttermilk

1 tablespoon brown sugar

2 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:

1/4 cup raisins

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine all ingredients for custard in blender and blend until smooth.  Pour into greased muffin tins (we use silicone muffin cups for easier cleanup) and sprinkle tops with raisins and cinnamon sugar.  Bake at 300 for 45-50 minutes, until knife inserted in center comes out clean and custard starts to pull away from edge of muffin cups.

Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce

This recipe was inspired by one I found on Pinch of Yum.  I love Alfredo Sauce, but it is so rich that I am never able to eat very much of it.  This recipe has all the flavor but feels a lot lighter, so it's easier to eat and enjoy.  My kids say it smells funny (probably the cauliflower), but they all agree that it tastes great!

1/2 head cauliflower
1/2 to 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup milk
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoons butter
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Steam cauliflower until completely tender.  Place in blender with milk and 1/2 cup broth.  Blend until smooth, adding more broth as needed.  Add salt, butter, Parmesan and garlic and blend to mix well.  (You can also add a couple of handfuls of spinach at this point to make a green alfredo sauce!)  Toss with pasta, veggies, or rice and sprinkle with mozzarella or parmesan to taste.

Lentil Sloppy Joes

I adapted this recipe from one I found on Chocolate Covered Katie.  My kids love it and I think it tastes so much better than regular sloppy joes!

1/2 onion, diced
3 cups cooked lentils
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 1/4 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1 stevia packets, or 2 tsp sugar
14 oz tomato sauce
up to 1 cup water
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp soy sauce

Sauté the onion and garlic in oil until onion is translucent. Add lentils and spices, stir, then add all other ingredients and cook uncovered (stirring occasionally) until thick like sloppy joe filling.  Makes about 5 cups.  Serve on rolls with spinach, tomatoes, cheese, and whatever else you like!