Love Your Lentils Campaign - GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Canadiana Baked Beans for the win! 
This just in: I WON THE 2013 Canadian Lentils CONTEST!!!

I undoubtedly have the best friends & family in the world. THANK YOU for voting and for putting up with "a couple" bean related messages/texts/emails. On Friday June 21st, I'll be flying to Saskatchewan to tour lentil farms, pick berries and dine with my kitchen idol, 
Chef Michael Smith. 

Someone pinch me, please. This is simply remarkable. Thank you all so much!!

Many of you have asked  - so I'm happy to share the award winning recipe.

Here's what you need:

2 cups lentils (pre-cooked measurement)

1 bayleaf

8 slices bacon (cook slightly)

2 medium onions

1 large green pepper

Sauce: 

1 can tomato paste 

1/3 cup of brown sugar

1/4 cup of maple syrup

2 cups of water 

1tsp Worcester sauce, maggi, 

.5 tsp cayenne pepper, dry mustard

Steps: Cover lentils with sufficient water, add bay leaf and bring to gentle boil. Once water reaches this point, reduce to simmer for 13 minutes. Drain and add a tsp of salt

In a saucepan, gently cook onions and peppers in a tsp of oil, or bacon grease as I used. 
Cook on medium for three minutes. Once soft, combine onions, peppers and lentils

In a casserole dish, add chopped, cooked bacon and layer in three parts: lentils, bacon, sauce. Do this three times adding all extra sauce to the top. 

Bake on 325 for 60 mins then remove lid for final 20 minutes. (bakes 80 mins total)
Let cool for 10 mins, enjoy! 

Canadiana Baked Beans - Contest Entry Love Your Lentils Contest

VOTE HERE

"Canadiana Baked Beans" - My lentil recipe entry for the Love Your Lentils Blogger Contest.

"Did you know here in Canada we grow the worlds best lentils?" 

Well if Chef Michael Smith says this, then I'm a believer.

Simply put: I heart Chef Michael Smith and have set a goal to meet him someday, and ok if he's willing, have him cook me a meal too. ;) 
Every time I'm able to tune in, he teaches and inspires me to make healthy tasty food. I just began following his Facebook page, only to learn that there is a contest underway this month of May- with only one week remaining!! Is there time for me to enter? YES! But I'll need your help! (please and thank you!)

Catching my eye was the "The Love Your Lentils Campaign."

May is Love Your Lentils Month...who knew? (me neither, so mark it on your calendar for next year!) 

Chef Michael explains the contest here... I'm submitting an entry as a Blogger and I need your help, DAILY, from now until May 31st - KINDLY TAKE A MOMENT, VOTE & SHARE.

The TOP 10 recipes in each segment as voted by the public will be reviewed by Chef Michael and his team. I am currently in 10th place after only 24 hours - but I need your help to remain there until the contest closes May 31st!! 

My dish, "Canadiana Baked Beans" is a take on traditional Canadian Baked Beans - made with Canadian bacon, maple syrup and lentils.

Anyone who knows me would say I'm a proud Canadian et j'adore Canada.  I have aspired to create something simple, fun and delicious - with hopes of providing a realistic meal option that can make its way to dinner tables across Canada.

HERE IS THE LINK TO VOTE!  I'll publish the recipe on Eclectic Kitchen with an update after the contest closes on May 31, 2013.

Thank you in advance for your time, support and votes. 

Oh and there's a BONUS in this for you: One lucky voter will be selected to win the contest as well! Check out the site for full details and I wish you luck, too.