Orecchiette with Minted Lentils and Feta

A new pasta dish from the cookbook, Graze, by Jason Roberts.

• 100 g green beans
• 150 g orecchiette
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 400 g tinned brown lentils, drained and rinsed
• 2 Tbsp chopped mint
• 1 1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 small Spanish onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup basil leaves, torn
• 75 g reduced-fat feta, crumbled

Directions:

1. Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil. Add the beans and cook for three minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Cut the beans into thirds. Add the orecchiette to the water and cook according to the instructions on the packet. Drain and set aside.
2. Spray a frying pan with cooking spray and add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the lentils and cook for two to three minutes or until they have warmed through. Stir the mint, balsamic vinegar, onion and basil through the lentils.
3. Toss the lentil mixture and green beans through the orecchiette, season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the feta. Serve.

Variations

Orecchiette is a small 'ear' shaped pasta. Any short pasta can be used (eg. shells, twists or penne) but the orecchiette holds the lentils inside it like a mini cup.

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Reproduced with permission from CalorieKing.com.au. All material copyright CalorieKing.com.au