Some nights for dinner I just want something healthy, easy, filling AND tasty – is that so much to ask for?

Most nights I can get 3 of the 4. Pasta with meatballs – tasty, easy, filling, but not super healthy (especially when served with a chunk of crusty bread and fresh mozzarella .. OMG I can taste that goodness now).  Homemade black bean burgers with sweet potato fries and braised kale – tasty, filling, healthy but not really super easy (well it’s easy .. just takes time to prepare). So last week when I was “cleaning” out my fridge and found some leftover kale from our CSA and an onion – and then of course found lentils and canned tomatoes in our pantry – a light bulb went off. I realized that combining all those ingredients would most definitely satisfy all of the above! Healthy? Obviously! Easy? Yes – I’d be using my crock pot. Filling? Of course – 1 cup of this dish has about 15 g. of protein (and more if you pair it with chicken). Tasty? Um, anything with lentils and kale in my opinion is tasty (I understand if you disagree).

Enjoy the following “recipe.” I literally just threw everything in my crock pot, googled “lentil crock pot cooking times” and hoped for the best. And it worked! Serve as is, or with chicken, which B had. He actually looked at me like I was crazy when I asked if he wanted anything with the lentils for dinner. “You mean, do I just want lentils and kale for dinner? Am I a rabbit?” – may or may not be exactly what he said. I also sprinkled Penzeys vindaloo seasoning on my leftovers which made for an awesome Indian-type dish. 

Crock Pot Lentils and Kale

Here’s what you need:

• 2 cups lentils, rinsed
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 3 cups chopped kale (don’t forget to remove the stems)
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1-2 tablespoons cumin
• 2 cups vegetable broth (or chicken, if you don’t mind if it’s not vegetarian)
• 1 cup water
• salt and pepper, to taste

Here’s what you do:

1. Rinse lentils. Add to crock pot with onion, garlic, canned tomatoes and kale.
2. Add spices — ginger, onion powder, garlic powder and cumin. Mix all ingredients within crock pot. Pour broth and water over mixture.
3. Cover and cook on Low for 5-6 hours.
4. Enjoy! Serve alone, or as a side dish with chicken if your husband gasps at the thought of just eating lentils and kale alone.

Enjoy! As you can see, it’s not the prettiest dish, but it’s healthy, filling and SUPER EASY.

PS – Here are some more of my favorite crock pot dishes. You MUST try the jambalaya!