I’ve been meaning to share this recipe with several of my friends for weeks now.  Finally, here it is.  I’m sorry it has taken so long! 

I just made this for dinner tonight, and it is always so good.  I’m sure it is intended to be a side dish, but we eat it as a vegetarian main dish because it is just so healthy and yummy and filling. Tonight, we had this hot casserole with cooked sweet potatoes on the side.

Lentil & Brown Rice Casserole

2 c. chicken or vegetable broth
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 c. dried brown lentils, rinsed
1/2 c. uncooked brown rice
1 minced garlic clove
1/2 t. dried basil
1/4 t. dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/8 t. pepper
1 c. diced tomatoes (or canned stewed tomatoes)
1/4 t. salt
1/2 c. shredded swiss, cheddar, or other cheese

In a 2 quart baking dish coated with nonstick spray, combine first 9 ingredients. Cover, and bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes and salt, cover, bake 20-30 minutes more, until rice and lentils are tender. Discard bay leaf. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake uncovered for 5 minutes more.

That’s it! This is healthy comfort food!