Pasta with lentils

Mommy rating: ***
Baby rating: ****

This recipe could be a dish for the whole family!
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup lentils, rinsed
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1/2 small zucchini, diced
• 1/2 orange or green bell pepper, cored, deseeded, and diced
• 4 small button mushrooms, well washed and chopped
• 7oz canned, chopped tomatoes
• 1 tsp diced mixed herbs
• black pepper to taste
• 1 cup pasta spirals
• grated cheese for topping (optional)

Directions:

Place the lentiles in a saucepan and add water to cover them.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 25 minutes.

Heat the oil in a skillet and add the onion, garlic, zucchini, bell pepper, and mushrooms.  Stir-fry for 5-10 minutes. 

Add the chopped tomatoes, herbs and pepper.  Cover and cook for about 5 minutes.  Drain the lentiles and puree or mash them. 

Stir into the sauce.   

Cook pasta according to instructions on the packet.  Mash into the lentil sauce. 

Serve sprinkled with grated cheese (optional).

*Taken from The Big Book of Recipes for Babies, Toddlers & Children*