Lentils w/ Sweet Potatoes & Pumpkin
Sweet potatoes and pumpkin pair perfectly with the earthiness of French green lentils in this sweet and savory pumpkin lentils dish. Since the pumpkin is pre-seasoned with garlic, shallots, salt, and pepper, you don't need to add any additional spices. This makes it an incredibly easy dish to throw together and serve alongside any holiday meal.
Equipment
- Rice Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 c. pumpkin purée
- 1/2 sweet potato diced
- 1 ½ c. French green lentils
- 3 c. water
Instructions
Roast Pumpkin
- This recipe calls for Roasted Pie Pumpkin Purée. This takes about 2 hours and requires a pie pumpkin, garlic, shallots, salt, and pepper, as well as aluminum foil and a baking dish. I usually make it ahead of time and have some on hand. But you can prepare them back-to-back!
Cook Lentils
- Add all of the ingredients into a rice cooker (sweet potato, pumpkin, lentils, and water).I like to slice the sweet potatoes, cut them in half, and then in thirds. As with a small pizza, this makes 6 slices (one in half and then an X). That's how I make triangles, instead of cubes.
- 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, 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!
Tips, Tricks, & Notes
- This recipe doesn't require seasoning. If you've already put salt, pepper, garlic, and shallots in the pumpkin, this is plenty! If you didn't season the pumpkin or need a little bit more, feel free to add some, though.
- While lentils are not rice, it does cook the same and oftentimes better than rice in a rice cooker. It typically takes 30-45 minutes. Alternatively you can simmer on the stove. Add all of the ingredients to a pot, bring uncovered to a boil, lower heat to a simmer, and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes and lentils are tender. Turn off heat, add lid, and let sit another 5-10 minutes.