beef + lentil stew

Ok, so important things first. Uhh, I know this is a post about beef and beans and such, but SERIOUSLY, I've got news. Have you ever tried dark chocolate smothered in peanut butter? Please do this. I'm sure you all have done this since the second you were born and I'm a little late to the trend train like usual. Anyways, it be good up in herrrrrr. Like combining chocolate and peanut butter could be bad. I laugh. And I'm getting all giddy and excited just TYPING about it! It's that great!

Or the hyperness could be due to the fact that I had two bricks of 85% chocolate. Yah, that might be it.

Thanks for listening to me talk about chocolate. Onto da beef! I guess this is kind of a big deal too. You GUYS, I'm posting a recipe that doesn't contain tons of sugar slash chocolate slash peanut butter {can you tell I love it?}. It's wonderful, isn't it? Wonderful, flavorful, and packed with veggies.

I think that I'm going to post more savory recipes on the blog. I mean, really, you're the ones who will decide because I'm only going to post what YOU like. But I really really really hope you like this. REALLY. I've gotten into cooking lately, especially the last weeks, since I haven't been able to bake.

Since I'm on this whole gluten free kick, one of the new-to-me foods is lentils. I really haven't had lentils before up until now! This dish is quick {that is, if you're not the one developing it}, flavorful, packed with good-for-you stuff, and I promise, everyone will love it!

My whole family loved it and they are the harshest critics and will tell me like it is. 

This dish is super versatile because you can use whatever veggies or herbs you have on hand. I just looked in the fridge and gathered whatever I laid my eyeballs on. I mean not EVERYTHING. Raspberry jam and cantaloupe would not make a good stew. But you get my gist.

So tell me- would you like to see more savory dishes?

beef + lentil stew

2 c. black lentils

1 lb. beef

2 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 tbsp. fresh garlic

1 can diced tomatoes

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 large carrots, thinly sliced

Salt + Pepper

Fresh Basil + Parsley, chopped {or any other herb- dried or fresh!}

Prepare lentils according to directions on package. Set aside in a large bowl. In a frying pan on high heat, cook the beef with olive oil and garlic until brown. Turn to medium-low heat. Add in diced tomatoes, peppers, and carrots. Simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes. Stir in prepared lentils and season to taste. Serve with cheese, tabasco sauce {my mom told me to include that}, avocado, or sour cream!

toast with smashed avocado & fried egg

Some of the best things in life are just so utterly simple.

This? It's one of those things. Who'd think that smashing an avocado on some toast and topping it off with an egg could bring a human so much happiness! Well let me tell you… 

It brought me loooooots have happiness. Lots. 

I find joy in the little things. 

This whole thing is more of an "idea" than an actual recipe. There's just a short little list of ingredients and no measurements. You just kinda throw in a little bit of this a little bit of that, and call it a day. 

It's SO GREAT!!! 

Anyways, I'm sure you've heard of this "idea" as we're calling it before. 

On my instagram feed I see someone eating this for some meal at least once a day. It's like a sickness or something. 

I'm surprised it took me, the avocado freakazoid that I am, so long to give it a shot. I'm late to the show… Like always. Ha. 

HOWEVER, it might be because I usually tend to stray away from savory rather than sweet breakfasts. But boy, I'm willing to part with my weird ways. I've definitely found my new favorite breakfast. or lunch. or dinner. or dessert. 

Just kidding on the last part by the way. 

First, you need some bread. That bread up there is my favoritest carb in all the land. It's what they call around these here parts "health bread". It's pretty much just wheat bread with some nuts and raisins thrown in there. AMAZING. 

Use something good… Because after all, this is the throne of the whole entire meal. You could use some french bread. Or maaaaaaaybe… Some ciabatta? Whoa. 

Next, you thrown on half an avocado. This is my favorite part, guys! You take a fork to the avo and squash it all up real nice. Top it off with your super weird looking fried egg and now we're cookin' with peanut oil (NAME THAT SHOW!!! If you don't know. It rhymes with Shmuck Shmynasty.) 

By the way… Not really sure if that's even a fried egg. It kinda fell apart when I made it, but I just decided to call it a fried egg because it sounds cooler that way. 

This is by FAR one of the best meals I've made. It's so simple and quick, delicious AAAAND healthy! For something more balanced, try throwing some veggies into the mix! Or maybe cheese. Cheese is always a good idea. 

toast with smashed avocado & fried egg

2 pieces of bread of choice, toasted

olive oil

2 eggs

1 avocado

salt & pepper, to taste

Grease a frying pan with olive oil on medium heat. Once heated, crack eggs into pan. Do not stir around! Let cook for about 2 minutes, then flip and cook for about another minute. Using a fork, smash half an avocado on each piece of bread. Place egg on top of toast. Season to taste and serve with veggies if desired. 

Tuna Salad Dip

I told you I would make some savory goodness. And health{ier} goodness. And this is both. 

BOOM SHA KA LA KA. 

I think you'll like it. 

Although if you're one of those people who's Anti-Tuna {how dare you.}, chances are… 

Maybe you won't. 

But otherwise. Run into your kitchen and make this for lunch, a snack… or dinner or breakfast. 

Totally normal.  

ANYHOO. This dip is DELISH. And if you don't have crackers or chips around, you sure could eat in in a sandwich- like MOST people would eat tuna salad… No not me. OR you could even eat it on its own. 

I didn't measure anything for this recipe… Forgive me! 

Tuna Salad Dip

canned tuna, shredded

tomato

cucumber

onion

mustard

olive oil {only a teeny bit}

mayonnaise

salt and pepper to taste

First, drain the tuna and chop the vegetables. In a mixing bowl, mix the tuna, veggies, mustard, mayo, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Serve with chips, crackers, on a sandwich OR by itself!

P.S.

Would you like to see MORE savory dishes? Vote at the top of my sidebar!