Lentils With Spinach and Soy Sauce

This is a delicious way to serve lentils -- we have it for a main dish, but it can be used as a side dish as well.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  cup lentils
• 1⁄2 small onion (not cut up)
• 1  garlic clove, peeled
• 1  bay leaf
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  cup  diced peeled carrot
• 1  garlic clove, finely minced
• 12  ounces  bunch spinach, trimmed, washed and dried or 1 (10 ounce) bag spinach
• 1  tablespoon soy sauce
•  cooked rice (optional)

Directions

1. In a pot, combine 4 cups of water, the lentils, onion, garlic and bay leaf, and bring to a boil. You can add some celery tops for added flavor, if desired.
2. When water boils, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the lentils are tender, 20-30 minutes. Drain and let cool.
3. Remove the onion, garlic, bay leaf (and celery tops, if used). Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
4. In a saucepan or deep skillet heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the diced carrots and cook, stirring, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, stir to blend, and cook for 1 minute. Add the cooked lentils, spinach and soy sauce. Stir well, cover, and cook over low heat until the spinach is wilted, about 3-5 minutes. Serve over hot rice, if desired.