Lentils of the Southwest (2nd Place Winner) USDA Recipe for Schools
Age Group: Ages 6-18
Serving Size: 50-100
Flavored with ground red chili, cumin, garlic, and a touch of tomatoes, these lentils have a “salsa flavor” that kids are sure to love. Even better, this tasty lentil-based recipe can be served as a side item or main dish.NSLP/SBP CREDITING INFORMATION¼ cup (2 fl oz ladle) provides:Legume as meat alternate: 1 oz equivalent meat alternate.ORLegume as vegetable: ¼ cup vegetable.Legume vegetable can be counted as either a meat alternate or as a legume vegetable but not both simultaneously.
Ingredients
50 Servings
Weight
- 1 lb 14 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 8 oz *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili powder
- - - Chili powder
- 1 lb 8 oz Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 lb 8 oz *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 2 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 1 qt ½ cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 2 qt ½ cup Water
- 1¾ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- 2 Tbsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp Ground red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp Chili powder
- 3 cups (¼ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 cups *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 3 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
100 Servings
Weight
- 3 lb 12 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 1 lb *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili pepper
- - - Chili powder
- 3 lb Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 lb *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 4 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 2 qt 1 cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 1 gal 1 cup Water
- 3½ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- ¼ cup Fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Ground cumin
- ¼ cup Ground red chili pepper
- 2 Tbsp Chili powder
- 1 qt 2 cups (½ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 qt 2 cups *Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 qt 2 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Quantity
50 Servings
Weight
- 1 lb 14 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 8 oz *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili powder
- - - Chili powder
- 1 lb 8 oz Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 lb 8 oz *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 2 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 1 qt ½ cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 2 qt ½ cup Water
- 1¾ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- 2 Tbsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp Ground red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp Chili powder
- 3 cups (¼ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 cups *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 3 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
100 Servings
Weight
- 3 lb 12 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 1 lb *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili pepper
- - - Chili powder
- 3 lb Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 lb *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 4 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 2 qt 1 cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 1 gal 1 cup Water
- 3½ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- ¼ cup Fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Ground cumin
- ¼ cup Ground red chili pepper
- 2 Tbsp Chili powder
- 1 qt 2 cups (½ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 qt 2 cups *Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 qt 2 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Ingredients
50 Servings
Weight
- 1 lb 14 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 8 oz *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili powder
- - - Chili powder
- 1 lb 8 oz Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 lb 8 oz *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 2 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 1 qt ½ cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 2 qt ½ cup Water
- 1¾ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- 2 Tbsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp Ground red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp Chili powder
- 3 cups (¼ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 cups *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 3 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
100 Servings
Weight
- 3 lb 12 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 1 lb *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili pepper
- - - Chili powder
- 3 lb Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 lb *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 4 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 2 qt 1 cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 1 gal 1 cup Water
- 3½ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- ¼ cup Fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Ground cumin
- ¼ cup Ground red chili pepper
- 2 Tbsp Chili powder
- 1 qt 2 cups (½ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 qt 2 cups *Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 qt 2 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Quantity
50 Servings
Weight
- 1 lb 14 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 8 oz *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili powder
- - - Chili powder
- 1 lb 8 oz Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 lb 8 oz *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 2 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 1 qt ½ cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 2 qt ½ cup Water
- 1¾ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- 2 Tbsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp Ground red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp Chili powder
- 3 cups (¼ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 cups *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 3 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
100 Servings
Weight
- 3 lb 12 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 1 lb *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili pepper
- - - Chili powder
- 3 lb Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 lb *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 4 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 2 qt 1 cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 1 gal 1 cup Water
- 3½ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- ¼ cup Fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Ground cumin
- ¼ cup Ground red chili pepper
- 2 Tbsp Chili powder
- 1 qt 2 cups (½ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 qt 2 cups *Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 qt 2 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
50 Servings
Weight
- 1 lb 14 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 8 oz *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili powder
- - - Chili powder
- 1 lb 8 oz Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 lb 8 oz *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 2 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 1 qt ½ cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 2 qt ½ cup Water
- 1¾ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- 2 Tbsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp Ground red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp Chili powder
- 3 cups (¼ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 cups *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 3 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
100 Servings
Weight
- 3 lb 12 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 1 lb *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili pepper
- - - Chili powder
- 3 lb Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 lb *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 4 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 2 qt 1 cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 1 gal 1 cup Water
- 3½ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- ¼ cup Fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Ground cumin
- ¼ cup Ground red chili pepper
- 2 Tbsp Chili powder
- 1 qt 2 cups (½ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 qt 2 cups *Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 qt 2 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Quantity
50 Servings
Weight
- 1 lb 14 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 8 oz *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili powder
- - - Chili powder
- 1 lb 8 oz Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 lb 8 oz *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 2 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 1 qt ½ cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 2 qt ½ cup Water
- 1¾ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- 2 Tbsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp Ground red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp Chili powder
- 3 cups (¼ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 cups *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 3 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
100 Servings
Weight
- 3 lb 12 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 1 lb *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili pepper
- - - Chili powder
- 3 lb Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 lb *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 4 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 2 qt 1 cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 1 gal 1 cup Water
- 3½ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- ¼ cup Fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Ground cumin
- ¼ cup Ground red chili pepper
- 2 Tbsp Chili powder
- 1 qt 2 cups (½ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 qt 2 cups *Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 qt 2 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
50 Servings
Weight
- 1 lb 14 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 8 oz *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili powder
- - - Chili powder
- 1 lb 8 oz Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 lb 8 oz *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 2 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 1 qt ½ cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 2 qt ½ cup Water
- 1¾ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- 2 Tbsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp Ground red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp Chili powder
- 3 cups (¼ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 cups *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 3 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
100 Servings
Weight
- 3 lb 12 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 1 lb *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili pepper
- - - Chili powder
- 3 lb Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 lb *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 4 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 2 qt 1 cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 1 gal 1 cup Water
- 3½ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- ¼ cup Fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Ground cumin
- ¼ cup Ground red chili pepper
- 2 Tbsp Chili powder
- 1 qt 2 cups (½ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 qt 2 cups *Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 qt 2 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Quantity
50 Servings
Weight
- 1 lb 14 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 8 oz *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili powder
- - - Chili powder
- 1 lb 8 oz Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 lb 8 oz *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 2 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 1 qt ½ cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 2 qt ½ cup Water
- 1¾ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- 2 Tbsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp Ground red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp Chili powder
- 3 cups (¼ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 cups *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 3 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
100 Servings
Weight
- 3 lb 12 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 1 lb *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili pepper
- - - Chili powder
- 3 lb Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 lb *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 4 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 2 qt 1 cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 1 gal 1 cup Water
- 3½ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- ¼ cup Fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Ground cumin
- ¼ cup Ground red chili pepper
- 2 Tbsp Chili powder
- 1 qt 2 cups (½ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 qt 2 cups *Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 qt 2 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
*See Marketing Guide
Ingredients
50 Servings
Weight
- 1 lb 14 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 8 oz *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili powder
- - - Chili powder
- 1 lb 8 oz Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 lb 8 oz *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 2 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 1 qt ½ cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 2 qt ½ cup Water
- 1¾ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- 2 Tbsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp Ground red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp Chili powder
- 3 cups (¼ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 cups *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 3 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
100 Servings
Weight
- 3 lb 12 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 1 lb *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili pepper
- - - Chili powder
- 3 lb Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 lb *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 4 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 2 qt 1 cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 1 gal 1 cup Water
- 3½ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- ¼ cup Fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Ground cumin
- ¼ cup Ground red chili pepper
- 2 Tbsp Chili powder
- 1 qt 2 cups (½ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 qt 2 cups *Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 qt 2 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Quantity
50 Servings
Weight
- 1 lb 14 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 8 oz *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili powder
- - - Chili powder
- 1 lb 8 oz Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 lb 8 oz *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 2 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 1 qt ½ cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 2 qt ½ cup Water
- 1¾ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- 2 Tbsp Fresh garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp 2 tsp Ground cumin
- 2 Tbsp Ground red chili pepper
- 1 Tbsp Chili powder
- 3 cups (¼ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 cups *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- 1 Tbsp Salt
- 3 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
100 Servings
Weight
- 3 lb 12 oz *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- - - Water
- 1 lb *Fresh onions, diced
- - - Fresh garlic, minced
- - - Extra virgin olive oil
- - - Ground cumin
- - - Ground red chili pepper
- - - Chili powder
- 3 lb Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 3 lb *Fresh tomatoes, diced
- - - Salt
- 4 oz Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
Measure
- 2 qt 1 cup *Lentils, brown or green, dry
- 1 gal 1 cup Water
- 3½ cups *Fresh onions, diced
- ¼ cup Fresh garlic, minced
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Ground cumin
- ¼ cup Ground red chili pepper
- 2 Tbsp Chili powder
- 1 qt 2 cups (½ No. 10 can) Canned low-sodium diced tomatoes
- - - OR
- 1 qt 2 cups *Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp Salt
- 1 qt 2 cups Fresh cilantro, finely chopped
*See Marketing Guide
Instructions
- Rinse lentils and sort out any unwanted materials. Drain well.
- Combine lentils and water in a stock pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until lentils are tender, about 30-40 minutes.
- Sauté onions and garlic in oil for 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in cumin, red chili pepper, and chili powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes over low heat.
- Combine onions and garlic with cooked lentils. Add water.For 50 servings, add 3 cups water.For 100 servings, add 1 qt 2 cups water.
- Stir in tomatoes and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.Critical Control Point: Heat to 140 °F or higher for at least 15 seconds.
- Stir in cilantro before serving.
- Critical Control Point: Hold for hot service at 140 °F or higher.
- Portion with 2 fl oz ladle (¼ cup).
Nutrition INFORMATION
Lentils of the Southwest (2nd Place Winner) USDA Recipe for Schools
Amount Per Serving
0 ¼ cup (2 fl oz ladle)
Calories
68.66
Total Fat
0.92
g
1
%
Saturated Fat
0.11
g
1
%
Cholesterol
0
mg
0
%
Sodium
141.83
mg
6
%
Total Carbohydrate
10.96
g
4
%
Dietary Fiber
4.16
g
17
%
Protein
4.56
g
9
%
Vitamin A
251.11
IU
5
%
Vitamin C
2.8
mg
3
%
Calcium
15.21
mg
2
%
Iron
1.84
mg
10
%
N/A=data not available
*Marketing Guide
50 Servings:
Dry lentils, brown or green: 1 lb 14 oz Mature onions: 12 oz Tomatoes: 1 lb 12 oz
100 Servings:
Dry lentils, brown or green: 3 lb 12 oz Mature onions: 1 lb 6 oz Tomatoes: 3 lb 8 oz
Notes
*See Marketing Guide for purchasing information on foods that will change during preparation or when a variation of the ingredient is available.
Yield / Volume
50 Servings:
About 9 lb About 1 gal 1 qt
100 Servings:
About 17 lb About 2 gal 1 qt