January 1: Lentil Pasta Sauce

Good luck foods for New Year's Day. Around the world, people eat certain foods on New Year's Day that are thought to be symbolic. Noodles are eaten to bring long life, black-eyed peas for prosperity, cabbage for luck and fortune, and lentils also for good fortune, pomegranate for abundance and fertility and fish represent moving forward in the new year. Today I will post a favorite dish using one of these food items.  This recipe comes from "Good Morning America". 

Saute:
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 onion
1 clove garlic
1/2 green pepper, opt


Add:
15 oz tomato sauce
1/2 c tomato, chopped
1 c water
1/4 c dry lentil


Add:
1/4 tsp oregano
1/3 tsp basil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp thyme
dash Tabasco sauce


Bring to a boil. Cover. Simmer on low for 45 minutes. 


Serve over pasta. Top with Mozzarella and/or Parmesan cheese.