Spiced Lentils with Spinach and Apples

2 cups lentils
1 tbsp canola oil
1 tbsp butter
2 cups chopped onion
5 cups water
2 stalks medium celery, minced
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsps dry mustard
1 tbsp ginger, minced
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 1/2 fl oz lemon juice
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cayenne
8 oz spinach, chopped
2 medium skinless tart apples. chopped

1.Heat the oil in a skillet, and melt in the butter. Add the onion, and cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes.

2.Place the lentils and water in a large saucepan and bring to boil. Lower the heat, partially cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.

3.Add celery, cumin, mustard, ginger, coriander and turmeric to onion. Cook on medium-low heat for 10 minutes.

4.Scrape all this into the lentils, add the lemon juice and garlic. Stir. Simmer, partially covered, for 10 minutes - until lentils are tender.

5.Stir in the salt, black pepper, cayenne, spinach, and apples. Cook for a few minutes - until spinach is wilted and the apples begin to soften.

6.Serve hot.

7.Note: recipe based on Mollie Katzen's Enchanted Broccoli Forest.