Cabbage is a great vegetable to incorporate into your weekly meals. It cooks quickly and can remain in the refrigerator for quite awhile before you even begin to use it. It is also one of the least expensive vegetables and its size is big enough to make a substantial meal or several. Cabbage is also an excellent source of vitamins and fiber, which is important for a well-balanced diet. This specific cabbage and lentil dish is full of flavor and a healthy choice for any meal. The leafy vegetable naturally gives the dish a unique sweetness, enhancing its overall taste. Cooked together with diced tomatoes, onion, lentils, herbs and spices, it’s a hearty meal that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Here's what you'll need:
Ingredients:
- 1 green cabbage (chopped)
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1 cup of fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 cup of fresh basil (chopped)
- 1 can of diced tomatoes (blended)
- 1 can of lentils (rinsed and drained)
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of chili peppers or cayenne pepper (optional, but great if you like your dish with a bit of spice to it)
- Salt and pepper (for taste)
Directions:
- In a large pot, pour a bit of olive oil and turn heat to medium-high. Place chopped onion, garlic, parsley, chili peppers, oregano. Sautee for 3-5 minutes.
- Add chopped cabbage to the pot and stir well so the cabbage is well mixed with above ingredients. Continue to sauté for about 5 minutes.
- Add diced tomatoes and chopped basil to the mix, stir well, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook for 40 minutes.
- Once the cabbage is cooked, add the canned lentils, stir well and set aside until ready to serve. Because the lentils are canned, they don’t need to cook, so adding them at the end with the cooked cabbage is important from preventing them to become soggy.
Serve With:
This dish can be eaten in a few ways, all of which are great. Cabbage already brings so much flavor to any dish, so it requires very little to accompany it. Try this dish with small-cut pasta like ditali or macaroni, or alternatively, with rice. It also tastes great with tofu, or simply enjoy it on its own or with a slice of bread. If you find that you have left overs, it makes a great lunch for any day of the week. Also, don't be afraid to substitute the lentil beans for another type of bean you prefer or have on hand. Either way, it's a tasty and healthy meal. Enjoy!
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