Spiced Lentils with Spinach and Apples

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 tsps dry mustard
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp canola oil
• 2 medium skinless tart apples. chopped
• 1 1/2 fl oz lemon juice
• 2 stalks medium celery, minced
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 8 oz spinach, chopped
• 5 cups water
• 2 cups lentils

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a skillet, and melt in the butter. Add the onion, and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes.
2. Place the lentils and water in a large saucepan and bring to boil. Lower the heat, partially cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Add celery, cumin, mustard, ginger, coriander and turmeric to onion. Cook on medium-low heat for 10 minutes.
4. Scrape all this into the lentils, add the lemon juice and garlic. Stir. Simmer, partially covered, for 10 minutes - until lentils are tender.
5. Stir in the salt, black pepper, cayenne, spinach, and apples. Cook for a few minutes - until spinach is wilted and the apples begin to soften.
6. Serve hot.
7. Note: recipe based on Mollie Katzen's Enchanted Broccoli Forest.