Thoughtful Foods

This rich tomato sauce with lentils and fresh basil provides a great, healthy alternative to traditional meaty Spaghetti Bolognese. 

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 medium sized onion, chopped
• 1 TBsp olive oil
• 1 small chilli, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 capsicum finely chopped
• 1 x 415g tin crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 3 TBsp tomato paste
• 2 TBsp tamari sauce
• 1 cup water
• 300g spaghetti (or other pasta)
• 1/4 cup fresh chopped basil leaves

Method

1. Rinse the lentils until the water runs clear, and set aside.
2. In a meduim sized saucepan stir fry onion in olive oil until tender.
3. Add chilli, garlic and capsicum and stir-fry until capsicum is tender. Keep heat to a minimum, taking care not to burn the garlic.
4. Add crushed tomatoes,oregano,tomato paste, tamari sauce,water and lentils, and stir well over medium heat until sauce is simmering
5. Cover and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until lentils are soft. Stir the sauce occasionally, taking care not to let the lentils gather on the bottom of the pan.
6. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring some water to the boil and add the spaghetti. Cook until tender stirring occasionally.
7. Before serving, stir the basil into the sauce and spoon over the spaghetti.