Simple Zojirushi Green Lentils with Chicken Stock

• •1.5 cup Green lentils (rinsed thoroughly)
• •4 cup Chicken stock (or according to rice cooker manual for lentils)
• •0.5 piece Yellow onion (small, finely diced)
• •3 clove Garlic (minced)
• •0.5 cup Diced tomatoes (canned or fresh, small dice)
• •0.5 tsp Dried Thyme (optional, for added depth)
• •1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
• •0.5 tsp Black pepper (freshly ground, or to taste)
• •1 tbsp Olive oil
• •0.3 cup Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• •1 tbsp Lemon juice (freshly squeezed, for serving (optional))

Instructions

1. 1

   Rinse the green lentils thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain well.

2. 2

   Add the rinsed lentils, diced yellow onion, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, dried thyme (if using), salt, black pepper, chicken stock, and olive oil directly into the inner pot of your Zojirushi rice maker. Stir gently to combine all ingredients.

3. 3

   Close the lid of the rice maker. Select the 'White Rice' or 'Brown Rice' setting. Press 'Start'.

4. 4

   Allow the rice cooker to complete its cycle. This typically takes 30-40 minutes for the 'White Rice' setting. Once done, the rice maker will switch to 'Keep Warm'.

5. 5

   Carefully open the lid. Stir the lentils gently to ensure even consistency. If it's too thick for your liking, you can add a little hot water or chicken stock and stir. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.

6. 6

   Serve the Simple Green Lentils hot, garnished generously with fresh chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, if desired. It makes a wonderful side dish or light main.

Chef's Tips

• 💡The water/stock ratio can vary slightly depending on your rice cooker model and desired lentil consistency. Start with 4 cups and add more hot liquid at the end if you prefer a thinner consistency.
• 💡Do not overfill your rice cooker. Ensure there is enough space for the lentils to expand without boiling over.
• 💡For an even richer flavor, you can quickly sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil in a separate pan before adding them to the rice cooker with the other ingredients, but for ultimate simplicity, just add them directly!