*Lentils are 26 percent protein

*Very high in Vitamin B-1

*Good source of iron

*Excellent meat substitute

*High in fiber

*No need to soak them

*Colorful variety available (because food should taste good and look pretty!)

*Tastes yummy!

In Indian homes, lentils are a staple food served with nearly every meal. When I visited France, I had warm lentil salad served with vinaigrette. My kids enjoy lentils served with rice and jazzed up with spice, which makes a simple, complete protein supper (i.e., all essential amino acids). Around here folks make lentil chili and stew. What I like to do with lentils is to make brownies. I know this sounds weird, but really, it is OK! Actually this recipe makes some of the best brownies I have ever had. I also enjoy making cookies with lentils. It’s fun to tell people there’s a “special ingredient” in a lentil brownie or cookie after they have had one, then let them guess awhile what the ingredient might be!

While I realize that this is not the healthiest way to eat lentils, one must consider that it’s a healthier way to enjoy a brownie! The lentils add fiber, vitamins, and protein which would not otherwise be there. Hey, every little bit counts, right?

Here is another weird thing to do with lentils. What you'll need is some sturdy paper, such as construction paper, or poster board, glue and different colored dried lentils and peas, found in the bulk sections of the Co-op. Find your favorite young people (not too young, uncooked beans and legumes are a choking hazard), go outside and sit on the grass, and make lentil mosaics. You could draw out a design first, placing glue where you want the lentils to stick, or create without any sort of plan. It is an unusual experience using local food to make art; it feels strange and very cool. It helps connect us with our local farming community to talk to kids about local farms and local food issues while you create with the lentils. I suspect the craftier people out there can think of lots of art projects to do with the colorful legumes that are grown all around us. At a localvore event last year, we used orange and red lentils plus green peas to make mosaics. One young person drew a peace sign and used a different color lentil for each section.

If you have been inspired by attending Lentilfest and are looking for new, fun ways to embrace lentils, we hope you'll enjoy a lentil brownie while you create your legume masterpieces!

Surprise Raisin Spice Cookies

3/4 cup brown lentils, uncooked

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 cup egg substitute (equal to 2 eggs)

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup Spectrum (butter alternative)

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup unbleached flour

1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1/4 teaspoons orange peel

1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1/2 cup raisins or dried orange cranberries

Rinse lentils and combine with water in a pan. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and cover pot. Simmer for 40 minutes or until tender. Drain off excess liquid.

Beat egg substitute in a large bowl. Add honey and Spectrum and cream until smooth. Add the vanilla, pumpkin, and cooked lentils. In a separate bowl, combine flours, salt, baking powder, spices and orange peel. Add to the lentil mixture and combine well. Fold in nuts and dried fruit.

Drop by teaspoons on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for about 8 minutes, or until they look done.

Lentil Brownies

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

2 cups white sugar

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup cooked and pureed brown lentils

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Pour in water, vegetable oil, lentils, vanilla, and optional cayenne; mix until well blended. Spread evenly in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is no longer shiny. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into squares.