Lentil New Year

Due to the abundance of lentil-based recipes I cooked for New Years, the event was coined a 'Lentil New Year'. I thought I would share my new favourite lentil-based recipe with the whole world. I originally found the recipe on a SPG brochure. There are lots of great lentil recipes on their website, including another New Year's favourite, 'Lentil Pizza Squares'.

Oatmeal Lentil Chip Cookies
¾ cup of margarine or butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 ½ tsp vanilla
¾ cup lentil puree*
1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup chocolate chips

*To create puree, blend well cooked lentils in a food processor or blender adding small amounts of water if necessary

• Pre-heat oven to 190oC (375oF)
• Cream together sugar and margarine. Add egg and mix until just blended. Add vanilla and lentil puree and mix until blended.
• Sift flour, salt and soda together. Add dry mixture 1/3 at a time to wet. Mix until just blended.
• Add oats and chocolate chips. Blend lightly.
• Drop 1 tsp portions onto a greased cookie sheet and flatten with a fork.
• Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Yield: 36 servings