Barbecued Lentils

We like this a tad sweeter than the recipe, so taste and adjust seasonings and sweetness to taste. We use this on top of organic all-beef hot dogs in homemade hot dog buns, or mixed into cooked brown rice or barley, or just as a yummy side dish. It’s good warm or cold and great to take to picnics!

1 pound dried organic lentils, sorted and rinsed
5 cups water
6 ounces organic tomato sauce (or organic tomato paste and water)
1/2 cup organic molasses  (not blackstrap)
1/2 cup organic ketchup
1/4 cup minced onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 Tablespoon organic soy sauce,  or Tamari or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard or 1 Tablespoon prepared mustard
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring, natural, organic (don’t omit this or overdo it!)
1 Tablespoon organic apple cider vinegar with “mother”
Organic sucanat to taste
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place rinsed lentils in a saucepan and add water. Bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer until lentils are completely tender, about 30 minutes or more.

Add remaining ingredients to lentils. (Taste and adjust seasonings).
Pour lentil mixture into a 2 quart baking dish. Cover and bake for 45 minutes.
Taste and adjust seasonings before serving.

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Per serving: 182 Calories; trace Fat (2.3% calories from fat); 11g Protein; 35g Carbohydrate; 12g Dietary Fiber; trace Cholesterol; 302mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 0 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.

About Vickilynn Parnes

A student of health and nutrition for 40+ years, Vickilynn Parnes has over 30 years of actual hands-on experience reviewing and personally using different tools of the homemaking vocation, focusing on the areas of health and nutrition. Vickilynn is a magazine columnist, product reviewer, cookbook author and radio talk show host, as well as being full-time mom to 5 children.