Dinner for 3

Kung Pao Lentils

Name: Kung Pao Lentils
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 1/2 cup dry brown lentils; 1 1/2 cups water; 1 generous pinch of salt; 2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar; 1 tbsp dry sherry or rice wine; 1 tsp hoisin sauce; 1 tsp toasted sesame oil; 2 1/2 tsp raw sugar; 1 generous dash of lime zest; 2 tsp cornstarch; 3 tbsp water; 2 tsp grapeseed oil or other neutral oil; 1/2 cup chopped white or red onion; 4 dried red chilies like arbol or red chinese (optional); 1/2 tsp szechuan peppercorns; 3 tbsp cashews or peanuts; 3 cloves garlic; 1 inch knob of ginger; 1 red bell pepper; 1 green bell pepper; 3/4 cup chopped celery; lemon juice and black pepper (optional)

Tender lentils simmer with peppers, celery, peanuts, chilies, and a sweet, tangy soy sauce.

Typical price

$14.21for 4 servings

$3.55 per serving$14.21 for 4

City Store

Typical price: Salefork's estimate of an everyday US shelf price for each ingredient. Pick your city to price it from this week's ad.

Photo: veganricha.com

30 minstart to table
Easydifficulty
3servings as written
$$$typical cost tier

Chinese Vegetarian Vegan Dairy-free Budget Dinners

What it costs

Pick your city to see which ingredients are on sale

Ingredient	Amount	Cost
Dried beans and lentils$0.11/oz typical	3.5 oz	$0.39Typical price
Lemons and limes$0.60 each typical	1	$0.60Typical price
Red onions$1.49/lb typical	0.15 lb	$0.23Typical price
Nuts and seeds$0.70/oz typical	0.75 oz	$0.59Typical price
Garlic$0.75 each typical	0.25	$0.22Typical price
Fresh ginger$0.40/oz typical	1 oz	$0.40Typical price
Bell peppers$2.49/lb typical	0.75 lb	$1.87Typical price
Celery$2.29 each typical	0.25	$0.43Typical price
Total for the servings shown		$10.66

Pantry staples you likely have

Salt and pepperSoy sauceAsian sauces and pastesSugar and brown sugarCornstarch, vanilla, yeast, cocoaCooking spray, shortening, ghee, coconut and sesame oilDried herbs, spices and seasoning blends

Not included in the cost.

Ingredients

1/2 cup dry brown lentils
1 1/2 cups water
1 generous pinch of salt
2 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tbsp dry sherry or rice wine
1 tsp hoisin sauce
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 1/2 tsp raw sugar
1 generous dash of lime zest
2 tsp cornstarch
3 tbsp water
2 tsp grapeseed oil or other neutral oil
1/2 cup chopped white or red onion
4 dried red chilies like arbol or red chinese (optional)
1/2 tsp szechuan peppercorns
3 tbsp cashews or peanuts
3 cloves garlic
1 inch knob of ginger
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
3/4 cup chopped celery
lemon juice and black pepper (optional)

Steps

Rinse the lentils, then simmer them with 1 1/2 cups water and salt in a saucepan for 20 minutes.
Whisk the soy sauce, vinegar, sherry, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sugar, lime zest, cornstarch, and 3 tablespoons water in a bowl.
Heat the grapeseed oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the onion, chilies, peppercorns, and nuts for 2 minutes.
Add the garlic, ginger, bell peppers, and celery, and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
Add the cooked lentils and sauce, then simmer for 3 minutes until thickened.
Season with lemon juice and black pepper if desired, and serve hot.

Swaps

Red onions for Onionsabout $0.20/lb less at typical prices
Dried beans and lentils for Canned beansabout $0.02/oz less at typical prices

Main ingredient on sale this week? See what to make with dried beans and lentils on sale.