Beluga Lentils

This recipe is tailored for a slow-carb diet and designed for easy cleanup. You can adjust portion sizes using standard kitchen utensils—no need for elaborate tools or measuring devices. It’s also versatile; you can add ground beef and tomato sauce to transform it into a hearty dinner option (see the Serving section below for details).

Ingredients

  • 1 pint lentils, sorted and washed
  • 2 pints water
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 slices bacon, diced
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 1 celery stalk, diced

Spice Mix

  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon ancho chili
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 teaspoons salt

Steps

  1. Brown the bacon in medium-heated oil for 1 minute.
  2. Sauté the onions and celery with the browned bacon for 2 minutes.
  3. Add the lentils and spice mix, and gently stir for 45 seconds.
  4. Add water and bring to a boil.
  5. Lower the heat to simmer.
  6. Set a timer for 40 minutes. Check doneness and adjust in 3-minute intervals to achieve the desired texture. (The fewer times you open the lid, the better the taste.)

Serving

Consume 3 or 4 tablespoons for breakfast. The pot of lentils should last a week.

To serve this recipe for dinner, double the spice mix (keep the salt amount the same). In step 1, add 250 grams of ground meat, and in step 3, incorporate half a can of tomato sauce. Serve two ladles of lentils with two tablespoons of wild rice and a side of salad.