Hearty Lentil Stew

A very thick stew with a bit of a kick!

From Cooking Light

Ingredients:
~1 tbs. olive oil
~1 and 1/4 cups chopped onion
~1 cup chopped celery
~1 cup chopped carrot
~1 garlic clove, sliced
~4 cups fat-free, less-sodium broth
~1 cup water
~1 28oz. can crushed tomatoes, undrained
~3/4 cup instant brown rice
~1 cup dried lentils
~1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
~1/4 tsp. salt
~1/4 tsp. pepper

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot on medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic and saute for 8 minutes or until tender. Add water, broth, and tomatoes and bring to a boil.
2. Stir in lentils and simmer for 25 minutes on low heat.
3. Stir in rice and simmer for an additional 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in red pepper, salt, and pepper.

You could always make this vegetarian by substituting vegetable stock for chicken stock.