Lentil Rice and Veggie Bake

Ingredients

• 0.5 cup uncooked long grain white rice
• 2.5 cups water
• 1 cup red lentils
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 fresh tomato, chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped celery
• 1/3 cup chopped carrots
• 1/3 cup chopped zucchini
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• salt and pepper to taste

Steps

1. Place rice and 1 cup water in a pot and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes. Place lentils in a pot with remaining 1 1/2 cups water, and bring to a boil. Cook 15 minutes, or until tender.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat, and stir in onion and garlic. Mix in tomato, celery, carrots, zucchini, and 1/2 the tomato sauce. Season with 1/2 the basil, 1/2 the oregano, 1/2 the cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook until vegetables are tender.
4. Mix rice, lentils, and vegetables in a casserole dish. Top with remaining tomato sauce and sprinkle with remaining basil, oregano, and cumin.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, about 30 minutes.