Mixed vegetable lentil bake

Serves: 4
Time to make: 30 mins
( Hands-on time: 15 mins )

Total cost: $ 11.60 / $ 2.90 per serve

(at time of publication)

Ingredients

1 ¾ cups red lentils
4 rashers lean bacon, grilled
olive oil spray
1 onion, finely chopped
3 cups raw mixed vegetables such as carrots, cabbage and leek, diced
4 cups fresh spinach
400g can diced tomatoes with garlic and herbs
1 cup vegetable stock made with 1 teaspoon stock powder and 1 cup water
½ cup freshly grated reduced-fat cheddar cheese
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

1 Cook lentils in boiling water until tender. Meanwhile, grill bacon then cut in small pieces. Drain and place in a lightly greased ovenproof dish. Preheat oven to 190°C.

2 Heat a large non-stick frying pan with oil spray and cook onion until softened. Add some more oil spray and cook the first lot of vegetables for 3-4 minutes.

3 Add to lentils and toss to mix. Stir in spinach with chopped tomatoes and vegetable stock. Add bacon. Toss lightly to mix. Season to taste.

4 Sprinkle with cheeses and bake for about 15 minutes until lightly golden. Serve garnished with fresh parsley if preferred.