I love making this when people come over for dinner as I only need to concentrate for 10 minutes, and then I can just let it bubble away while I greet my guests and have a pre-dinner glass of wine. Marvellous for both our Mental and Spirit PowerBars, this recipe is packed with broccoli and spinach which are rich in brain healthy nutrients like vitamin K, lutein, folate and beta carotene. Clever cumin brings additional support, nourishing our brain cells with riboflavin, vitamin B6 and niacin supporting brain functioning and sharpening memory.Chilli will add fuel to our spirit energy by enhancing feel good hormones to boost mood and motivation. This will further be supported by the low glycaemic index of Puy lentils, bringing sustainability to your energy levels.
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Servings 4 people
Ingredients
- 1 onion
- 4 tbsp olive oil or coconut oil
- 250 g Puy lentils
- 1 lemon - cut into eighths
- 300 g spinach
- 150 d broccoli stems
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tsp cumin (ground)
- 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- 800 ml water (for lentils)
- 240 g brown rice
- salt & pepper to taste
- yogurt to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan and add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent.
- Stir in the lentils, chilli, cumin flakes and lemon pieces.
- Add water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer for around 40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally and you may need to add more water as you go.
- After around 30 minutes, Slice broccoli and add to lentils pans.
- After around 40minutes, stir the spinach in with the lentils.
- When the lentils are under way, boil water in a separate pan, add rice, and then simmer for around 30 minutes (follow instructions on packet of rice as they vary in cooking length time)
- Drain the rice and serve with lentils, sprinkling fresh coriander and parsley on top. Can be nice to serve with yogurt.
Notes
You may well get more than 4 portions out of this, and it freezes really well!
If you like it hot then simply increase the amount of chilli flakes you include, and decrease for a milder palate.
It works equally well without the broccoli, simply replace it with additional spinach.
Wild rice offers a nice variation to this dish, and can be used in place of the brown rice.
Tip - you can prepare the rest of ingredients while the onions are cooking, but helpful to have them out the cupboard and ready!
