I have to admit that I've been perusing the discount produce section. Ordinarily meant for slightly bruised apples to end up in school lunches. But it is also a great way to get ripe bananas! If you ever want to make bread without having to wait for them to turn? This is the place. Although I'm craving bananas without actually craving banana bread. Which is really more of a loaf than anything that resembles bread that you eat anything other than butter on. So, I've been putting bananas in absolutely everything! Just to see if it works. Hence the pecans, Thai red chilis, and bananas lentils.
I will admit that this is kind of an odd combination. But don't ever let that stop you from being creative! This was actually pretty good. Watching what happens to bananas in a rice cooker was also a trip. They kind of unfurl themselves...
The bananas work incredibly well with the flavor of the pecans and just a hint of cinnamon. To add to the heat with a little bit of a kick, I also tossed in some Thai chilis from my garden. Which has relocated to indoors under a heat lamp because we are well into freezing temperatures and flurries of snow! Although feel free to spice to your own culinary tastes. This is an easy recipe to mix and match in your own ingredients. Although I do recommend adding in some fruit!
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Variations of Bananas Lentils
Now, I don't ordinarily add bananas to my lentils. After this recipe I will have to rethink that! Because the bananas are absolutely fantastic. But I do often mix and match in other fun ingredients. From different seasonings and fruits and vegetables.
These pecans, Thai chilis, and bananas lentils combine sweet, savory, and spicy ingredients with cinnamon, cumin, and coriander. I've also tossed in some yellow onion, garlic, and a dash of salt and pepper for good measure. Although feel free to mix and match in your own produce and seasoning to fit your own personal taste and culinary preferences.
Add all of the ingredients, except for the pecans, to a rice cooker.
Press the cook button on the rice cooker. While lentils aren't rice, it does cook the same and oftentimes better than rice in a rice cooker. It typically takes 30-45 minutes.
When the lentils is fully cooked, add in crushed pecans.I used mortar and pestle for this, but you can also coarsely chop the nuts with a knife or simply put them in a baggy and smoosh.
Fluff with a wooden spoon and serve.Do not use a fork or other metal utensil. It will scratch off the nonstick surface on the rice cooker. This will leach teflon into your food and cause future dishes to stick to the bottom!
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