Lentil Bolognese (v)

This recipe is a good base recipe for all sorts of things, but today we used it for pasta sauce. It's dead cheap, uber healthy and very yummy. Permission to feel ultra smug when creating and consuming granted ;-)

For 6-8 portions you need
2 cups green/brown lentils (not puy)
2 cans chopped tomatoes
2 onions, finely diced
4 coves garlic, crushed
pinch sugar
salt and pepper
vegetarian stock powder
3 tbsp tomato puree
1 tbsp olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
2 bay leaves
2 tsp dried oregano

Begin by placing the lentils in a large pan of water. Bring to the boil and then boil fast for 10 mins. Reduce to a simmer and then cook for a further 15 mins or so until they are tender and cooked. The actual cooking time will vary depending on the lentils so keep checking for done-ness every 5 mins after the initial 15 mins of simmering.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large pan and fry the onion for 5 mins till translucent. Add the carrots and garlic and continue to fry for another 5 mins. Add everything else to the pan and bring to the boil. Check the seasoning and simmer for 20 mins until thickened and delicious.

Add the drained cooked lentils to the pan and heat through thoroughly. Serve over pasta with shredded fresh basil and veggie parmesan if you're not vegan.