It's not just Oatmeal

Also... lentils. Never liked 'em until recently. Erm, I hyped oats so much, I feel like I should have a ton of amazing things to say about lentils too... they are a great source of protein, fiber, B vitamins, and although they are super hearty, do not have a huge amount of calories. (Just 230 calories for a whole cup of cooked lentils.) So you can have enough energy for a day on the farm (or at your desk) without busting calorie bank.

Here's a recipe my whole family loved (even the picky Litte One), that utilizes some of the same spicy goodness as the recent oatmeal recipe.

EST TIME- 45 minutes total
EST COST- $5.50 (lentils, tomatoes, tom. paste)
FEEDS- 5-6 (great for winter lunch leftovers)

1 lb Lentils
1 can organic tomato paste
1 can organic diced tomatoes
1/4 cup worcester sauce (wooshy sauce in our house)
3 tsp ground cinnamon
3 tsp black pepper
2 tsp Italian seasoning
2 cubes vegetable bullion (or stock, for boiling lentils)

Cook the lentils in 1/2 water, 1/2 stock, or add cubes to water. Otherwise follow package instructions

in a large sauce pan combine wooshy sauce, tomato paste, and spices until smooth. Add diced tomatoes. When lentils are cooked, add the lentils (and whatever broth may be leftover). Stir and simmer just long enough for flavors to combine. I think that it stands alone very well as a stew, but I suppose you could serve it over rice, or with whole wheat pitas chips for dipping.

It is great for cold winter days, and makes enough to feed a small army... or one very hungry Mister.