Ultimate Recipe Swap - Beans and Lentils

We eat beans and lentils in some variation at least once a meal plan. We make chili's, soups, mexican food of all types (our favorite!) we use beans and lentils in salads, pasta and I have even tried black bean brownies (not too bad...). I use to be a strictly can bean Gal but lately in my quest of eating better and less processed I have been using dried. I found that if I soak my beans and then freeze them in 1-2 cup servings they are easy to use at anytime and no need to worry about soaking.

Lentils are new to me but I love them! They are easy to prepare and take on the flavor of whatever you are making. I add lentils to my taco meat or spaghetti sauce to pump it up so I can use less ground meat.

I had found this recipe on 5Dollar Dinners but variations of this is all over the web. And this recipe is by far our favorite because it can be used many different ways and one batch makes a lot. It is can be changed by whatever you have on hand. I have added veggies and black beans to make it more of a meal and to sneak in added nutrients for my kiddos.

Lentil and Rice Burritos

1 cup rice, uncooked

1 cup green lentils, uncooked

2 1/4 cup water/stock (whatever we have in the freezer or pantry)- for rice

4 cups water/stock combo - for lentils

1/2 of an onion, finely chopped

1 small can tomato paste

1 packet Taco Seasoning (I make our own)

Bring 2 1/4 of water to a boil. Add 1 cup of rice. Return to boil. Then reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes until rice is done.

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 cup lentils. Cook lentils in 4 cups of water for 20-30 minutes until tender. Drain off excess water.

Combine cooked rice and lentils in large saucepan. Add tomato paste + 2 tomato paste cans worth of water. Stir through. Add onions, seasoning packet or spices. Let simmer about 10 minutes. Check on it to make sure it doesn’t get too “dry”.

Spoon lentil-rice mixture into tortilla. Top with favorite burrito toppings: cheese, salsa, guac....Wrap up burrito style!

Some of our other favorite ways to use this recipe:

"Lentil and Rice Burrito Bowl" topped with our favorite topping and eat with tortilla chips.

Use in any mexican style recipe...Tostada's, Mexican Casserole, Tacos, Taquitos, Crispy Baked Burritos....

In fact I will be making some this weekend....Its great for a crowd!

Check out Life As Mom Ultimate Recipe Swap Beans and Lentils for more ideas or to link up your own recipes!