The perfect winter meal

Since arriving to Santiago, I have had to learn some things on my own. One of those things has been learning to cook, well learn to cook something more than pasta and rice.

My favorite food has always been lentils, of any form and in any preparation. I think lentils with rice are perfect for winter days, like now.

When I started living alone, I asked my mom for the recipe to make lentils that she makes and I think that they are the best. With some mistakes on the way, I learned to do them, although I must confess that I always forget an ingredient.

Now, this is the basic recipe for making lentils:

We need a medium onion, a garlic, a shredded carrot and a medium red or green pepper and seasonings (salt, pepper, cumin and a bay leaf) to make a sauteed.

In a pot pour a cup of soaked lentils and add the sauteed along with six cups, or more, of boiled water (depends on your taste). Leave to cook for half an hour and add a handful of rice.

I don’t like pumpkin or potatoes so I will not skip it. I don’t like eat lentils with any food companion like meat, sausages or fried egg, but that is a matter of taste.

Let cook, on medium heat, for another thirty minutes and… We have the lentils as I like them.