Lentils with a Cowboy Twist

Ingredients

 * 3 cups water
 * 2 cups dried brown lentils
 * ½ teaspoon salt, divided
 * 1 cup diced onion
 * ⅔ cup ketchup
 * ⅓ cup maple syrup
 * ¼ cup prepared mustard
 * ½ teaspoon ground ginger
 * ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
 * ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
 * ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Directions

 * 1) Preheat oven to 350 °F.
 * 2) Combine water, Lentils, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes.
 * 3) Drain Lentils in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
 * 4) Combine Lentils and diced onion in an 11x7-inch baking dish.
 * 5) Combine ¼ teaspoon salt, reserved cooking liquid, ketchup, and the remaining ingredients.
 * 6) Pour the ketchup mixture over the Lentil mixture, stirring to combine.
 * 7) Bake at 350 °F for 1 hour.