Crispy Green Lentil Cups!

I'm excited to try my hand at a creative lentil recipe for the 2015 Lentil Recipe Revelations Challenge! When you think of lentils, appetizers don't usually come to mind. I normally cook them as a side dish. This bite-size appetizer recipe is easy and quick to make. A crispy phyllo cup filled with garlic-infused French green lentils, creamy goat cheese and a dash of heat will have you thinking about lentils in a new way!

CRISPY GREEN LENTIL CUPS

1/2 cup Canadian French green lentils
1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp thyme leaves
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
30 frozen mini phyllo shells
3 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes


In a medium pot, combine lentils, broth, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Cover pot and reduce heat to medium-low. Let simmer until lentils are tender but not mushy, about 25 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes.
While lentils are cooling, preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place mini phyllo shells on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake in oven for 4 minutes (to get extra crispy!).
Fill each phyllo shell with a spoonful of lentils. Top with goat cheese and garnish with red pepper flakes.

To learn more about the many health benefits of lentils, visit Canadian Lentils.