Lentils with a Cowboy Twist

Ingredients

 * 3 cups water
 * 2 cups dried brown lentils
 * 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
 * 1 cup diced onion
 * 2/3 cup ketchup
 * 1/3 cup maple syrup
 * 1/4 cup prepared mustard
 * 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
 * 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
 * 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
 * 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
 * 2) Combine water, lentils, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes. Drain lentils in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
 * 3) Combine lentils and diced onion in an 11x7-inch baking dish. Combine 1/4 teaspoon salt, reserved cooking liquid, ketchup, and the remaining ingredients. Pour the ketchup mixture over the lentil mixture, stirring to combine. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.