Smoky is optional. This recipe comes from the website called A Couple Cooks. I never get tired of it. The recipe is vegetarian and dairy free. (i eat meat and dairy and still crave it.)
This is meant to be used as alternative protein for vegetarians and flavored to taste like it contains smoked meat. I eat it as a side, a filling for tacos or sandwiches, crumble it up cold on salads–and i also eat a double serving for a filling meal.
It tastes way better than it looks, costs me about 2 USD per entire batch, makes ten cups, and keeps forever. Any of the seasonings can be swapped for your preferences (I’ve omitted fennel seed, used cumin, chili powder, etc. It’s different every time i make it, but this version is the exact recipe as published on A Couple Cooks and shared to here.) The vinegar at the end is critical to balance the flavors i think. I splash water onto portions i reheat in the microwave to keep it moist, and like to serve with sour cream or yogurt, olive oil, and chopped onion, sometimes pumpkin seeds. It’s really versatile.
The rice and lentils are chewy, which is very satisfying, but you could easily add liquid or cook it longer if that’s not desired–either by the serving or for the whole batch.
It’s great for this sub in these times because my cost of around 2usd per batch includes the lentils and rice required, the vinegar, and the broth base i use that’s pricier than bouillon. The spices you need to buy will work in other dishes and i didn’t bother to figure how much it would cost if i had to buy them new by the jar.
The recipe makes 10 one-cup servings; that’s only 350 mg sodium per serving so it’s great to share with people on all sorts of restricted diets and infinitely adaptable. When i discovered this recipe in my 40s, i so wished it had always been in my budget arsenal of nutritious food. (it calls for specific lentils, but i use the ones at my store that are cheaper since that’s the goal and the French ones aren’t available.)
Recipe follows with link to A Couple Cooks where i find it. Enjoy!
by PartadaProblema