Turning tradition into nutrition with lentils

By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com

Wendy Nutall loves cooking with lentils. It all began when her son asked if she would help develop some recipes which incorporate lentils to compliment his business venture called Abundance Organic Grains, based out of Maple Creek.

Due to Covid, his mother said her son, who grows lentils, found himself with a lot of lentils that had no place to go. Wendy got busy creating recipes, even though she currently resides in Hay Cove, Newfoundland, where she operates bed and breakfast, and has an art gallery displaying her photography.

Wendy started by creating a pamphlet and plans to create a full cookbook of recipes in the near future, including approximately 100 recipes. Wendy’s photography skills are coming in handy as she creates recipes and posts beautiful photos of the dishes she makes.

“The pamphlet came out in December, and we’re finding the photos work quite well. We just started around Christmas time, and my son started the company last fall.

The pamphlet recipes use 100 percent green lentils, and the company has since added different lentils and other grains. Wendy said she looks forward to working with the new grains and green lentil flour, which is also a new addition.

Wendy is no stranger to the prairies. She grew up in the Cypress Hills and lived and farmed west of Maple Creek for years. “That’s how I know about farming and grain, and it’s been helpful,” she said.

A local coffee shop in Maple Creek sells the lentils and flour packages as part of their product line, which Abundance Organic Grains packages and grinds the flour.

“The cooking works out beautifully,” Wendy explained. “I sprouted some lentils, and they were sweet like garden peas. I make smoothies too, but people don’t usually think of putting lentils into cookies or baking. It adds nutrition to your baking. I’ve done some gluten-free recipes. If I do another cookbook, I’ll focus on gluten-free. I incorporate lentils into western recipes. I was going for flavour and texture. I want to take tradition and turn it into nutrition as well. I have to experiment with bread but haven’t done that yet.”

Lentils add a high level of protein to your diet and have antioxidant properties. The western Canadian diet usually consists primarily of potatoes, root vegetables, eggs, bread, dairy products and meat. Many minerals and vitamins are not as easily found in high percentages in this regular diet, so the addition of lentils is beneficial.

The lentils are available in bulk or smaller packages, and Wendy is creating an endless list of recipes, including specialties such as a Coffee Date Smoothie or Lentil Queen Elizabeth II Cake.

PHOTO: Wendy Nutall displaying her latest creation - Lentil Queen Elizabeth II Cake.