Baked Lentils

This barbecue-flavored side dish has sweet and savory elements all wrapped into one!

Baked Lentils
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup uncooked French lentils
• 12 oz pkg bacon, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 tsp minced garlic
• 6 oz can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/3 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 Tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp ground mustard
• 3/4 tsp paprika
• 3/4 tsp chili powder
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease large casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Prepare lentils according to package directions; set aside.
3. Cook diced bacon in large Dutch oven set over medium-high heat for 5-10 minutes. Drain excess grease, leaving a little behind to cook veggies. Add pepper and onion. Reduce heat to medium and cook 10 minutes, until veggies are translucent and tender. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes longer. Remove Dutch oven from heat.
4. Stir in lentils, tomato paste, maple syrup, coconut sugar, water, vinegar, and spices. Mix until thoroughly combined.
5. Pour mixture into prepared casserole dish. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake additional 30 minutes.
6. Allow dish to cool 15 minutes, then serve warm.

Recipe adapted from "Baked Beans" found on page 128 in Danielle Walker's Against All Grain Celebrations cookbook.