Lentils And Carne Recipes

Steps:

• FOR CARNE: In a VERY large and deep skillet, put just enough olive oil to keep the meat from sticking while it cooks. Coat meat VERY well, excessively even, on both sides with Lawry's all seasoning and brown meat on both sides, cooking until just cooked through. This will not take long since the meat is so thin. Remove meat as it finishes cooking. When all meat is done, put the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic, seasonings into the pan and stir well. Return meat to pan and settle it down into the sauce. Cover with the onions and peppers and continue to cook, covered, over medium heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring once or twice. Then, continue to cook another 20-30 minutes uncovered, until meat is very tender and veggies have become very soft and sauce thickens a little. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking or burning. Reduce heat if necessary.
• FOR LENTILS: Rinse lentils well and remove any bad beans or rocks you find. Put in a large pan with 6 cups of hot water, onion and seasonings. Cook on high, covered, until begins to boil, then reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until lentils are tender. They should be done about the same time as your carne if you put them on to cook as soon as you have your carne and sauce together and get it cooking. Add additional hot water as needed. Do not let them dry out; keep them covered in liquid. These take 45 minutes to an hour to cook through.
• FOR RICE: Once the carne and lentils are well on their way, get your rice going. It should have just enough time to cook and then rest before the rest of your meal is finished. Cook at least 1/2 cup uncooked rice per person.
• Note: The best way to eat this is to put some rice on your plate and spread it out, then cover that with some lentils, then put the carne with some veggies and sauce over that. The best bite has a little of each in it! You are not going to believe the flavor this has. It is just bursting with yummy goodness! Enjoy!

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 5 cups of water, the lentils, the thyme and bay leaves (if using). Partially cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are al dente, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil over high. Add the pasta and cook, stirring often to keep the pasta from sticking to the pot, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 20 minutes. (It may take longer than the cook time on the package.) If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add more water, 1/4 cup at a time.
• Turn off the heat, discard the thyme and bay leaves, then stir in the Parmesan. Cover and let sit for 3 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Eat with more Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.