Just Beachy

I confess, I did indulge in a small slice of the bread last night..groan..it was delicious and almost worth the stuffed feeling I have this morning! Back on track today, though, and am thinking I need to get a bit more serious, might have to keep better track of my carbs and/or calories because the scale is not budging. *sigh*

I'm working my way through the Good Carb, Better Carb Cookbook, finding a lot of great recipes to try! Tonight it's going to be a modified version of this yummy lentil dish, will substitute meat for veggie-friendly options.

Savory Lentil Casserole

1-1/4 cups dried brown or green lentils, sorted, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
8 ounces fresh Shiitake or button mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
4 ounces Canadian bacon, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 to 3 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place lentils ina medium saucepan; cover with enough water to come 1 inch over lentils. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, covered, 20 to 25 minutes untl lentils are barely tender; drain.

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir 3 minutes. Add mushrooms; cook and stir 10 minutes or until liquid is evaporated and mushrooms are tender. Sprinkle flour over mushroom mixture; stir well. Cook and stir 1 minute. Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, Canadian bacon, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until mixture is thick and bubbly.

3. Grease 1-1/2-quart casserole. Stir lentils into mushroom mixture. Spread evenly in prepared casserole. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 20 minutes.

4. Sprinkle tomatoes over casserole just before serving.

Enjoy!