Since canning season is mostly over, JamieAnne and I are happy to give you the brand-spankin’-new slow-cooking Monday link up.
Check out my Lentils Martinique, her Beef Stew or add your own past or present slow cooker post to our link up!
I am unashamedly in love with my slow cooker–Slow cookers are easy, convenient and help you make some really affordable and delicious meals.
Lentils Martinique
Creamy Caribbean-spiced lentils with spinach, pineapple and sweet potato.
The total cost for ingredients for this dish: $5.50. That’s rounding up. And using Trader Joe’s/organic versions rather than chain-store-brand. And this made enough food for 2 people to have lunch for a week plus leftovers to freeze.
I want my slow cooker recipes to be as simple as possible and with little to no prep (why slow cook if you have to spend half an hour sauteing first?). So this is easy, cheap and tasty.
Ingredients
- 1lb bag of lentils (~2 cups dry)
- Bag of frozen spinach
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 can crushed pineapple
- 1 can lite coconut milk
- 1T Cumin
- 1T Coriander
- 1T Turmeric
- 1t Mustard powder
- 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
- 3.5 Cups water or broth (more if you do not soak your lentils)
Prep: Soak your lentils overnight. Rinse. (This step isn’t necessary, but it cuts down on cooking time and I like to pretend it improves consistency). Thaw your spinach, drain your pineapple and cube your sweet potato.
Directions: Throw all but the spinach and pineapple into your slow cooker–on high. Stir. Forget about it for 4-5 hours (until lentils and sweet potatoes are soft). Stir in the spinach and pineapple. Voila.
You can half this recipe for fewer people/meals, or make the whole thing and throw leftovers in the freezer! It makes a great microwave-dinner when you’re short on time.
ForgottenBeast 
Looks tasty! Good for you to enjoy your slow cooker š
Looks good! I don’t have a slow cooker, but my parents do. I’ll save this recipe for when I get back home.
Looks great Allie! If only I had sweet potatoes!
Ohh, I bet any squash would work in this, it just might not hold its shape as well.
This looks so delicious!
I love pretty much anything with lentils… so yes to this recipe š
I’m a huge lentil fan, too–so cheap, easy to flavor and good for you!
Yummm that looks good! I need to get a slow cooker š¦
You do! They are absolutely fabulous (and pretty cheap, too)
Do you think I could make this sans crock pot? I cannot WAIT to get home to mine in December haha.
Ohh, no crockpot ’til December?? That sounds painful–this is prime slow-cookin’ season š This would definitely be do-able on the stove top! Pretty much follow the same instructions, but keep an eye on it/stir frequently (and obviously cut the time way back, just taste a lentil every so often to see if it’s the right texture). And add more water/liquid if it gets dry.
Haha, I read that as “lentil meringues” at first and thought “interesting…”! Meringue or Martinique; it looks great and for that price, it’s a double winner š
This is brillllllllllllllliant! Will have to make it next time Andrew’s out of town because he’d totally be like, “Where’s the meat?” And then I’d just roll my eyes and I do that enough already. š
PS — Totally posted my Drunken Pumpkin Chili recipe!
This looks delicious, love the sound of crushed pineapple in it! Although I might have to experiment and see whether it can be made on a stove top- we don’t have a crock pot at home!
I love slow cooking, but sadly, not lentils š
Do you think it would be good cooked on the stovetop rather than a slow cooker? I don’t have one!
Ooh, what a great link-up. I’ll have to plan something for next week!
Mmm, great flavor combos! And you have no idea how much I love lentils!