Simple Garlic Lentils with Mushroom

Ingredients

• 1 medium Yellow onion (diced small (about 1 cup))
• 3 tbsp Olive oil (divided)
• 4 cloves Garlic (4 cloves, 3 minced and 1 left whole)
• 8 oz Cremini mushrooms (wiped clean, sliced 1/4-inch thick)
• 1 1/2 cup Brown or green lentils (picked over and rinsed until water runs mostly clear)
• 4 cup Water (or vegetable broth for more depth)
• 1 leaf Bay leaf
• 1 tsp Kosher salt (plus more to taste)
• 5 oz Frozen spinach (about 1 cup, thawed and squeezed dry)
• 2 tbsp Nutritional yeast
• 1 whole Lemon (juice (about 2 tbsp) plus zest)
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper (freshly ground)

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium heavy pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden at the edges, about 7 minutes.

2. 2

   Add the 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then add the rinsed lentils, the whole garlic clove, bay leaf, 4 cups water and 1 tsp kosher salt. Stir once, bring to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

   2 min
3. 3

   Simmer uncovered, partly covered, until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape, 20 to 25 minutes. Add a splash of hot water if the pot looks dry before they are tender. Discard the bay leaf and whole garlic clove.

   25 min
4. 4

   While the lentils cook, heat a wide skillet over medium-high heat with the mushrooms dry in the pan. Stir until they release their liquid and it evaporates, about 5 minutes, then add 1 tbsp olive oil and cook until deeply browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt.

   10 min
5. 5

   Add the squeezed spinach to the mushrooms with a pinch of salt and toss 1 to 2 minutes until heated through and any moisture has cooked off.

6. 6

   Drain any excess liquid from the lentils, then stir in the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, the lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, nutritional yeast and black pepper. Taste and adjust salt and lemon. Fold in the mushroom and spinach mixture, or spoon it over the top, and serve warm.

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