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This was a total experiment that I think worked well.
1/2 cup thawed frozen spinach or fresh spinach, wilted. Squeeze out as much water from the leaves as possible
1 cup cottage cheese
6 whole eggs
1 bag black lentils
4 sliced spring onions
1 tbls pesto (made with olive oil, fresh or jarred)
Mix the bag of lentils with a tbls of olive oil then mash them slightly into the bottom of a 9 inch pie dish. Mine in glass and has sloping sides but I’m not sure it matters.
Mix the rest of the ingredients together until well incorporated. Pour into the pie dish gently, trying not to disturb the beans on the bottom. You can sprinkle a tbls of Parmesan cheese over the top if you like.
Bake in a 180C/350F oven for 30-35 minutes. Check it a 30 minutes – if a clean knife inserted in the middle comes out clean it’s done!
Great served with tomatoes for breakfast. but a dollop of salsa would also be nice. A bigger wedge for lunch maybe with some marinated tomatoes, in olive oil, balsamic vinegar and italian herbs would be fab.
Other beans would work well for the crust – as a jumping off point this is easy to adapt. If you keep with the basic idea (mashed beans for the “crust” and the egg-to-cottage cheese ratio) then the additions can be anything:
- black beans for the crust and chopped or shredded chicken or pork, especially anything cooked with Mexican spices, red onion instead of spring onions and served with cilantro and salsa
- Puy lentils for the crust, chopped cooked bacon or ham with shallots and thyme or tarragon
- cannelli beans for the crust and tuna! maybe with, if allowed, some sliced black olives
- omit the spinach and substitute a load of fresh herbs in any combo you like – dill, thyme, tarragon, basil, cilantro, chives
Obviously the cottage cheese is an occasional addition, as although it is mentioned in the book, the clarification from Tim says not every day. Basically only you know how well things are working for you. If you are stalled you may want to give this a go MINUS the cottage cheese – my feeling is it will still work, although it may need a different cooking time.
You can reheat this in the microwave to, so make on Sunday and you have at least 2 breakfast or lunch meals for two people!
