====== Bean, lentil and brown rice casserole ======

Beans, lentils and brown rice pack a whole grain and vegetable protein punch
Recipe and photo provided by hellocanola.ca

270 cal Serves 12 | Prep time 0h 10m | Cook time 1h 40m | Total time 1h 50m

===== Ingredients =====

  * 1 1/2 tbsp (20 mL) canola oil
  * 1 cup (250 mL) chopped onion
  * 3 cloves garlic, minced
  * 3 tbsp (45 mL) chopped, canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
  * 1 tsp (5 mL) dried oregano
  * 1 tsp (5 mL) dried savory
  * 1/2 tsp (2 mL) freshly ground black pepper
  * 1 cup (250 mL) sodium-reduced medium or hot salsa
  * 1 cup (250 mL) raw brown basmati rice
  * 1 cup (250 mL) green lentils
  * 1 can (19 oz/540 mL) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  * 4 1/2 (1.125 L) cups water
  * 1 bay leaf
  * 1 cup (250 mL) reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese 

===== Directions =====

  - Preheat oven to 350 ºF (180 ºC). Lightly spray 3-quart (3.4 L) casserole with canola oil cooking spray and set aside.
  - In large soup pot, heat canola oil over medium-high heat. Add onions, reduce heat to medium and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add garlic, chipotle peppers, oregano, savory and black pepper and cook for 1-2 minutes more. Stir in salsa and deglaze pan.
  - Add brown rice, lentils, kidney beans, water and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for about 1¼ -1½ hours or until rice and lentils are tender and no water remains. Stir twice during baking, replacing foil before returning to oven. Remove bay leaf before serving.
  - Remove from oven, remove bay leaf and sprinkle with cheese. Leave foil off and return to oven for 3-4 minutes to melt cheese.

source: https://www.heartandstroke.ca/healthy-living/recipes/meatless-main-dishes/bean-lentil-and-brown-rice-casserole