Lentil & Quinoa Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 C quinoa, uncooked and rinsed
• ½ C lentils, green or brown, uncooked and rinsed not red or yellow
• 1 T extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 oz mushrooms, sliced into ¼” pieces
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 5-6 oz baby spinach, fresh
• 2 large eggs
• ½ C greek yogurt, plain unsweetened
• 1 C cottage cheese
• 6 oz feta, crumbled
• 2 oz cheddar, grated
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• ⅓ C fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 T dried)
• 1 T italian seasoning, or a mix of oregano, basil, marjoram, and thyme
• 1 T dijon mustard
• 1 t kosher salt, divided as ¼ t and ¾ t
• 1 t freshly ground black pepper
• ½ t cayenne pepper (optional)
• Cook quinoa and lentils. Cook onion, mushrooms, and spinach. Mix all cooked-and-cooled ingredients with the rest of the ingredients and bake until the top is browned to your liking.

Instructions

1. 1 Add The Quinoa And 2 C: Add the quinoa and 2 C water to a saucepan. In another saucepan add the lentils and 1 C water.
2. 2 Bring Both To A Boil, Reduce: Bring both to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook both for 15 minutes or until:
3. 3 Quinoa: quinoa: all water is absorbed, and let sit off heat for 5 minutes before fluffing, then set aside to cool.
4. 4 Lentils: lentils: are soft but not mushy, adding water if needed, then set aside until cool.
5. 5 Preheat The Oven To 375°F: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13" casserole dish. Set aside.
6. 6 In A Large Skillet Over Medium: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the oil, onions, mushrooms, and ¼ t salt. Cook until onions are translucent. Add the spinach and garlic, then stir occasionally until the spinach is cooked, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
7. 7 In A Large Bowl, Whisk Together: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and yogurt. Add the lentils, quinoa, onion/mushroom/spinach, and everything else. Gently fold until evenly combined.
8. 8 Place In The Casserole Dish Then: Place in the casserole dish then spread until even. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until light golden brown on top. For an extra nutty flavor, broil for a few minutes until dark brown - don’t take your eyes off it!
9. 9 Allow To Cool For At Least: Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.