Lentils under pressure:
I have been thinking about my taco lentils for a few weeks and finally got the opportunity to make them for dinner the other day, but I had problem, a very common problem in my life. I was out of time and dinner prep had not even begun. So guess what I did? I pulled out my pressure cooker and completely cooked 2 cups of lentils in 16 minutes!! SIXTEEN minutes! I mentioned here I wanted to bring the pressure cooker back into the kitchen and this was the perfect chance. My taco lentils take about 70 minutes when I cook them on the stove top ((I like my taco-style lentils to have a creamy refried bean texture so I cook them past the package recommendations)). The lentil-splatter mess is pretty annoying and I usually forget to stir the lentils a few times and the thin layer of lentil-burn on the bottom of the braiser is a real time-consuming pain to clean. Using the pressure cooker solved all three of my problems: speedy cooking time and very little clean-up ((triple yay!)).
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Once the lentils had finished their date with the pressure cooker, I put them in my braiser, added my magic taco spices, stirred and whipped, cooked the tortillas, shredded the cheese & pickled the red onions. Within 32 minutes, dinner was on the table. AND.IT.WAS.SO.GOOD. All four kiddos loved them, two of them had seconds & the hubby ate three YAY!!
For the record: the flash-pickled red onions and the smoky, spicy taco lentils are soul mates. the end.
- 2 c green lentils
- 3-4 cloves of garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 c water
- 1 T Hatch red chili powder (I used mild)
- 1 T Hatch green chili powder (I used mild)
- 2 t cumin
- 1 T dried oregano
- 1 can (undrained) Mexican style tomatoes with hatch peppers (Rotel will work fine)
- 2 t Trader Joes Everyday seasoning, or a steakhouse seasoning grinder
- sea salt to taste, I used @ 2t, but taste in between adding the full amount.
- 3 T chopped fresh chives
- 3 T chopped fresh parsley
- Flash-pickled red onions
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- apple cider vinegar
- 1 T cooking oil
- 1/2 t sea salt
- fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 T sugar
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 10-12 tortillas
- Place lentils, garlic, bay leaves, oil and water in the pressure cooker. Cook according to appliance directions. (I cooked mine on high pressure with a natural pressure release for 16 minutes.)
- While lentils are cooking, prepare flash-pickled red onions by placing red onion, oil vinegar, salt pepper and sugar in a bowl, stir and allow to set until ready to serve. Heat tortillas and shred cheese.
- When lentils are finished in the pressure cooker, place them in a large braiser over medium heat and add the Hatch red chili powder, Hatch green chili powder, cumin, dried oregano, Mexican style tomatoes with hatch peppers, Trader Joes Everyday seasoning and add sea salt to taste. Stir frequently to avoid sticking and burning. Before serving, add the fresh herbs and stir to combine.
- Assemble by placing lentils in the tortilla, top with shredded cheese and onions. Serve.