I’m 2 days strong into my challenge! It feels good to get control of things – last night after work I did my boot camp work out, and my running workout. Weee!! But most importantly for me, I have been staying within my calorie range, and tracking everything. Once you get in the groove of it, I don’t think it is too hard.
This morning I woke up to snow! 80′s on Sunday, snow today. Ya never know around here!
I first saw this recipe on Magnolia Days. (Love that name!) Actually, I must admit, it was the salt pork that drew me in. With salt pork, how can it be bad? This is vegetarian dish, minus the salt pork! But honestly, the salt pork makes it! .
I modified the recipe a bit, to make it a bit more chili-like. I always have a problem cooking lentils – they just never get done! So I decided to soak them for about 12 hours before cooking them. Worked like a charm! They cooked up in no time.
I couldn’t decide what to call this – it is kind of like a chili, but kind of like a salad. So it is named – appropriately – a Chil-alad!
Lentil Chil-alad with Salt Pork
Adapted from Magnolia Days
Print this recipe!
Makes 4-6 servings
2 cups dry lentils
1 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
2 bay leaves
4 oz salt pork, cubed
4 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
1 – 14 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 – 4 oz can diced green chilies
Parmesan cheese and jalapeno peppers for garnish
12 hours before you wish to cook this dish, rinse the lentils, and place in a medium sized bowl, and cover with water. Let lentils soak for this time period. Add water to cover – 4 cups of water worked for me.
When ready to cook this meal, drain and rinse the lentils. Place in a medium sized pot, and add the garlic, onion, bay leaves, and salt pork.
Cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the lentils are tender. Add the salt, and stir well.
Add in the tomatoes and green chilies. Let cook another 10-15 minutes, or until heated through, and a thick consistency. If needed, you can add more water.
Garnish with parmesan cheese, and jalapeno peppers if desired.
Serve!
I decided to make some socca to serve with this. Although, the lentils were very filling on their own! I like to think of socca as a grain-free cornbread. But, I love it with a cheesy middle!
Feta Cheese Socca Panini
Print this recipe!
Makes 4 panini-socca sandwiches
1 cup garbanzo bean flour
1 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 cup feta cheese.
Heat a medium skillet over medium high heat. (I used our 10 inch diameter cast iron skillet). In a small bowl, combine the garbanzo bean flour, water, salt and italian seasoning. Whisk well to combine.
When the skillet is heated, pour in 1/2 of the batter. (You may need to adjust this, depending on the size skillet you use). Cook 1-2 minutes, until bubbles form – like you are cooking a pancake!
Flip over (carefully!), and cook 1-2 minutes on the other side. Remove to a cutting board to cook, and cook the other 1/2 of the batter.
Cut each “pancake” in 4 pieces.
Sandwich 2 pieces together with 1 tbsp feta cheese as a filling.
Place back on the skillet to melt the cheese.
Serve with the chil-alad!
This is being shared with Slightly Indulgent Tuesday.
Wonderful! I am glad you were inspired by my recipe on Magnolia Days. I will have to try your version also because I like to spice it up too.
Thank you so much! It was so good! (Actually, still is – still working on the leftovers!)
I do the same thing to the lentils Jane…I soak them for over 4 hours and they cook so quickly after this. I don’t add meat to mine, too much protein
but I do add veggies, lots and lots.
Good for you on your day two of the challenge. I am not counting calories but eating five very small meals a day and this seems to be helping
Peace to you this day,
m.
maria recently posted..struggles? let them go
Thank you Maria! Same to you. I have been tracking my calories, fat, carbs and protein, and trust me, I need the protein!!!
Wow, very well done! I love your garbanzo beans paninis.
ok, it is not funny at all, even after I made changes to my blog, I still can’t post comments using my URL. And I hate to tell you this, but this happens only on your blog…:(
It seams that you may have in your blog settings option for only WordPress bloggers to leave the comment with their URL? I am just guessing…
http://www.picnicatmarina.com
I’m so glad you are doing well with the challenge. The lentils and the socca both sound delicious and beg to be tried.I hope you have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Mary recently posted..Lemon and Cream Cheese Pie
Everything you make looks so delicious, Jane! It’s a good thing I don’t live near by or I might be stopping by hoping to get an invitation to dinner!
Jane recently posted..GOING TO NEED A BIGGER BOOKCASE!
Thank you, you are so sweet! You would definitely have an invitation to dinner
wow snow! lucky you. congrats on your two days, keep it up
Rhonda recently posted..Buffalo Chicken Chili
Congrats on having 2 days under your belt! It’s really a big accomplishment to stick to it!
Thanks for sharing another tasty looking recipe—yum!
Lisa recently posted..Caprese Bruschetta + Wear Sunscreen
Thanks Lisa
I really appreciate all your encouragement, helps me soo much!
Congrats on your challenge girl! I KNOW you can do it! Once again, you have made meat look yummy to me!
I will have to try this out and maybe sub mushrooms or a veggie for the meat. However, my hubby would love it if you would just come over and make this version for him! 
Keep up the hard work girl- it WILL pay off!
Brittany (Delights and Delectables) recently posted..Believing the Truth
Thanks!
I think the mushrooms are a great idea! Thanks for all the encouragement … hope you are doing ok!
I am embarrassed to admit that after all of the tutorials I’ve seen (and also having all of the ingredients in my pantry) I STILL haven’t made socca. Ugh! Soon!
Meri recently posted..Fro-Yo Chips
You should make it – it is so easy! I would just recommend flavoring it with SOMETHING, cause I think garbanzo bean flour by itself is kinda blah.