Barbecue Baked Lentils

I love lentils for their versatility. Found this recipe in an old Cooking Light magazine and was taken by this unconventional treatment. Though I have not tried this one, I'm making it public now for all my Zaar buddies. Will update after trying it out.

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 3  cups water
• 2  cups dried brown lentils
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1  cup onion, finely diced
• 2⁄3 cup ketchup
• 1⁄3 cup maple syrup or 1⁄3 cup barley malt
• 1⁄4 cup prepared mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Combine water, lentils, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and cover the pot, reducing the heat to medium-low. Simmer for 20 minutes (lentils will not be fully cooked). Drain lentils in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
3. Combine lentils and diced onion in large covered casserole dish. Combine 1/4 teaspoon salt, reserved cooking liquid, ketchup, and seasonings. Pour the liquid mixture over the lentil mixture, stirring to combine.
4. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.