Ingredients

Dressing:

1 teaspoon miso yellow or white

1 tablespoon soy sauce or use tamari for gluten-free

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1/2 teaspoon pepper flakes

2 tablespoons coconut sugar or brown sugar

1 clove garlic minced

3 tablespoons warm water or vegan chicken flavored broth

optional add ins : 1-2 teaspoons vegan fish sauce, 1/2 teaspoon boullion paste or powder

Lentils:

2 teaspoons oil

1 cup chopped onion

2 teaspoons minced ginger

3 garlic cloves minced

1/2 or 1 green chili such as serrano finely chopped, use milder chilies for less heat

15 oz (425.24 g) can lentils , drained or 1 1/2 cups of cooked lentils. Brown or green lentils. Use black lentils if you like hardy lentils

2 teaspoons brown sugar or coconut sugar

1 tablespoon soy sauce or use tamari for gluten-free

4-5 tablespoons of the mixed dressing from above

For the Bowl:

Cooked rice or cooked vermicelli noodles

1 cucumber thinly sliced

green onions and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

1. Make the dressing: Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and mix really well. Press the miso to the side of the bowl and mix until miso and sugar are mixed in. Set it aside.

2. Make the lentil pork: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil. Once the oil is hot add in the onion and a good pinch of salt and a good pinch of sugar. Mix and cook until the onions start to turn golden on some edges, then add the ginger, garlic, and green chili and continue to cook.

3. Deglaze the pan as needed with a few teaspoons of water if the mixture is drying out too much. Continue to cook until the onion is golden and starting to turn brown, 7 to 10 minutes.

4. Then add the lentils, brown sugar, soy sauce and mix in. Add in the 3-4 tablespoons of the mixed dressing and mix in. Cook until the sauce comes to a boil and starts to thicken. Taste and adjust flavor by adding salt if you need or add another tablespoon of the prepared dressing and mix in.

5. You can also add in the zest of half a lime here for additional tang. Once the sauce has thickened and lentils are starting to stick, Take off the heat .

6. Serve in a bowl or lettuce wraps To the bowl add cooked rice or cooked noodles, a good helping of the caramelized lentils then cucumber or other sliced fresh veggies or pickled radishes and carrots. Drizzle remaining dressing over the cucumbers and rice/noodles.

047: Caramelized Lentils