Developed by McKenzie Hall

Servings: 7

Serving size: 1 cup

2 tablespoons olive oil

¼ cup shallots, diced

1 tablespoon garlic, minced

1 cup green lentils, dry

2 cups carrots, peeled and diced

½ cup celery leaves, diced

     1 cup frozen peas

          2 tablespoons parsley, chopped

        ½ teaspoon dried thyme

¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    4 cups low-sodium vegetable stock

2 medium rutabagas, peeled and cut into 2-inch cubes

          ½ teaspoon salt

          2 tablespoons cornstarch

Cooking instructions: In a Dutch oven or a large pot with lid, heat olive oil over medium heat until hot. Add shallots and sauté about 2 minutes until lightly golden. Add garlic and sauté, stirring frequently for about a minute. Add lentils, carrots, celery leaves, peas, parsley, thyme, black pepper and vegetable stock to the Dutch oven. Stir with a spoon to combine. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour or until lentils are tender.

While the lentil mixture is simmering, place rutabaga in a large saucepan and cover completely with cold water. Bring to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes until tender. Drain the rutabaga using a colander and return to the saucepan. Add salt and mash rutabaga until smooth. Set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch and about 4 tablespoons of lentil cooking liquid until completely combined. Add the cornstarch mixture to the lentils and boil for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens.

Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Using a clean large spoon, scoop and spread mashed rutabagas on top of the cooked lentil mixture in the Dutch oven, creating a thin layer that completely covers the lentils. Place on middle oven rack and cook for about 30 minutes until lentil mixture is bubbling and mashed rutabagas are slightly crispy.

(Nutrition Per Serving: 218 calories, 4g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 0g trans fat, 347mg Sodium, 37g carbohydrate, 11g fiber, 9g sugar, 9g protein)