Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Meatless Mexican Filling

For more dishes using beans go to Frugal Upstate. She has also collected links for eggs and tuna in previous weeks.

My husband is a true meat and potatoes man. I made macaroni and cheese for supper one night and he asked where the rest was. He had no clue people actually eat "just" mac and cheese for supper around the world and don't die of starvation. He told me not to ever just have it for supper again that it needed something else with it. So now, when I don't have supper and I could have grabbed a box of mac and cheese I just tell him to find something himself. See, he could have had mac and cheese but now he has nothing. He doesn't complain about food anymore.

I tell this story to now let you know how well this dish stands up to meat in a fight. We were served this dish when we had our 3rd child- 12 years ago. No meat, just beans and rice in burritos with cheese. He loved it! He has asked for it. Try it.

3/4 cup dry brown lentils
1/2 c brown rice
1/4 cup onion flakes
2 bouillon cubes
3 c chicken stock
1/2 tsp dried sweet basil
1/4 tsp each: oregano, thyme and garlic

Combine all ingredients in a 9x13, or whatever they are, pan. Bake at 300 degrees degrees for two and a half hours. Add cheese the last 10 minutes of baking. Use this in tacos, burritos, or casseroles.

You can increase the recipe and it freezes well.

The person who made this for us 12 years ago was Sandy at Under the Son. I posted about finding her again after years through a comment she left on my blog. Her son made bags of the dry ingredients above and sold them to people at church. He was like 12 years old.

11 comments:

mommyofmany said...

How funny! I *knew* that recipe looked familiar. We still enjoy a good batch of Lentil-Rice Casserole from time to time, and the house smells WONDERFUL when it's cooking!

Valarie Lea said...

Hmmmm I am gonna have to try that, it sounds pretty good.

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your solution to your husband's comment of the mac n cheese!

I received a funny look from my hubs last week when I grilled out hot dogs and they were Ball Park franks instead of "the only hot dogs we can buy - Oscar Meyer beef!" He looked at me and asked, "What are these?" My comment was "Hot dogs" - to which he said, "What kind?" Answer: Ball park franks - they plump when you cook them and I think they are delicious! The kids all joined in with their - this is yummy! Mommy I like this kind, etc.

He had nothing more to say!

We are naughty aren't we?

Jill said...

This sounds fabulous. I have a similar lentil dish but without rice and with slightly different seasonings. I think my family would like this one better! I'll have to try it out. Thanks.

Jill

Connie said...

Hi, I found you on Rhoda's site. It's nice to meet another southerner from Alabama! We are in Cullman which about 50 minutes north of B'ham. You have a beautiful family and I'll check your site often.

Connie

Dawn @ simply transparent said...

I have a the same dh!
It's funny how they change when they have to fix it!

Good recipe, I'll try!

We do one with potatoes/meatless patties/rotel wrap in corn totillas a fav around here.

Southerner said...

I just want to clarify that I was using my off kilter sense of humor about my husband- more of a poke you in the ribs, ha-ha, kind of teasing. I really don't let him starve... much.

Anonymous said...

I knew you were teasing! Have a great night!

Sandy said...

That sounds interesting, I may have to try it! We're a meat family too :)

Connie said...

Love Pate Meadows patterns; Their patterns are such great designs. As for Sirs, I have not been myself, but my husband's aunt has gone and loves it.

I've heard several good comments, but I've also heard that you have to dig through the fabrics. I'm sure that there are bargains, I not one for digging though. I like fabrics to hang so that I can visualize them better. Plus after going to Atlanta, I'm not sure much can compare to that. Sorry not much help there. If I go sometime, I'll let you know. It is an addiction; fabric that is.
Connie

vicvic said...

That's so funny about your husband! My father-in-law is the same way, but my hubby doesn't mind, and I serve mac-n-cheese as the main event. Heck, I've been thinking potato salad and macaroni salad have all the necessary ingredients for main dishes...
I know, I'm cheap. This sounds very interesting - if a meat-n-tater guy likes this filling, it's probably pretty tasty!