MY CURRY YUCA and HAM LENTIL STEW, NOT ONLY NUTRITIOUS AND SUPER YUMMY BUT VERY INEXPENSIVE AS WELL.

Who said that Lentils are boring? Not me. Lentils are packed with nutrients such as lean protein, tons of fiber, zinc and plenty of other goodies. As far as flavor, you can soup them, stew them, mash them, and add as many flavors as you can come up with. Today, I decided on these flavors; Curry, Ham, and Yuca, then Stew them. Crazy right but so good!
 
Approximate Prep Time: (longer to soak lentils) Cooking Time: About 30 Minutes
Approximate Cost: $6.60 or $1.10 per serving
Difficulty Level:     X    Easy ____ Intermediate ____ Advanced
Servings: 6
 
Ingredients
1 ¼ cup dried Lentils ($1.10)
3 pieces of frozen Goya Yuca (.95)
Salt and pepper to taste to boil the Yuca (.15)
1 tbsp. olive oil (.35)
5 cloves of chopped garlic (.30)
1 large stalk of chopped celery with the tops (.20)
1 large onion (.40)
½ cup Julienne Ham ($1.35)
1 ½ cups beef broth ($1.00)
½ cup water
1 tbsp. Angie’s Dried Seasonings (see my link below) (.25)
1 tsp. Curry powder (.15)
2 Bay Leaves (.15)
¼ cup cilantro (1/2 for the stew while it cooks and ½ to garnish) (.25)
 
Directions
Clean, rinse and soften the lentils according to package directions but don’t cook all the way through.
 
When done, drain the water and replace with 1 ½ cups of beef broth. Set aside.
 
Cook the frozen Yuca according to package directions, drain, cut in cubes and set aside.
 
Chop celery, onion, garlic and sauté in 1 tbsp. olive oil.
 
Add the softened lentils with the beef broth, ham, bay leave, curry, Angie’s seasoning, cilantro, cubed Yuca, water and cook in low for 10 minutes or until the lentils are 100% soft and tender and the broth thickens just a bit.

Note: Even though it takes longer to soak and soften the lentils either the night before or the actual cooking day, the cooking time is under 30 minutes. I usually soak them overnight, change the water the following day and cook them. Easy button.  

Link:  
Angie’s Dry Seasonings: http://www.angieslifehacks.com/family-life/oven-roasted-bacon-chicken-and-angies-seasonings