Rosemary Lentils + Kale on Toasted Bread

This was delicious - hearty and healthy.  I've added in two variations - one with tomatoes and one with sweet potatoes, because the original recipe could have used a little something extra.

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

3 Garlic Cloves, diced
1 tsp Crushed Red Pepper
Olive Oil
1 small Onion, chopped
2 tbsp Tomato Paste
4-6 tbsp fresh Rosemary, de-stemmed
4 cups Water
1 cup Lentils
2 bunch Kale, chopped well
16 oz can Diced Tomatoes OR 1 Sweet Potato, chopped
Salt + Pepper, to taste
Bread, sliced (The heartier and crustier, the better. Stale is good too.)

1. If using a pot, soak lentils overnight in water.  If using a slow cooker, ignore this step.

2. Dice garlic, chop onion and de-stem rosemary.  Cook in olive oil with the crushed red pepper for 2 minutes over medium-low heat.

3. Chop kale and sweet potato.

4.  If using a slow cooker, add in all ingredients (either tomatoes or sweet potato) and cook for 8 hours.  If using a pot, add in water and tomato paste, bring to a boil and add in lentils.  Simmer partially covered for 35 minutes.

5. If using a pot, stir in kale until wilted, about 10 minutes more.  Add salt + pepper.

6. Heat oven to 250 degrees and toast bread.

7. Serve lentils + kale over bread.

Forgot to take a picture at the end. Damn.

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Original Recipe:

Eating Well

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Rosemary

The original recipe called for lots of peppers and mushrooms, neither of which I had on hand.  I made up for it by adding carrots, diced and stewed canned tomatoes, and more celery.  I also didn't have red wine, so added more broth.

Ingredients:

2 Bell Peppers, chopped
1 Onion, chopped
4 Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
3 Garlic Cloves, chopped
2 Carrots, chopped
3 Celery Stalks, chopped
1 package Mushrooms
2 cups Broth
3 cups Water
1 8oz can Tomato Sauce
2 tbsp Tomato Paste
2 8oz cans Diced Tomatoes
1 package Chicken (on the bone - I used drumsticks)
1 tsp Garlic Powder
Salt + Pepper, to taste

1. Chop peppers, onion, garlic, carrots, celery.  Add these to the slow cooker, as well as rosemary and mushrooms.

2. Add in broth (or Bouillon cube), tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic powder and water.

3. Cut the fat off of the chicken and add in whole.

You just sort of have to get in there and pull it off.  Mmm.

4. Set slow cooker to low, and cook overnight, or until chicken falls off the bone.  Fish out the drumstick bones.

Great alone, and also over rice/barley.

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Original Recipe:

Jeanette's Healthy Living