Brown Lentils Recipes

BROWN LENTILS

Steps:

• Rinse lentils and then par-boil them with water to cover and a good sprinklng of salt (simmer hard about 25 minutes). Drain.
• Meanwhile, in a braising pan, saute vegetables and garlic in the olive oil (cooking bacon first if using it) for 5 minutes.
• Stir in dried herbs and spices and 1 cup of stock. Bring to a simmer.
• Add the lentils to the vegetables and stock, and simmer, stirring occasionally until the lentils are cooked, (10-20 minutes more) adding more stock as needed.
• Check seasoning, adding salt and pepper, to taste. Garnish with fresh squeezed lemon juice and parsley (I chose these because I serve the lentils with fish most often).

BROWN RICE AND LENTILS

Steps:

• In a big skillet, add olive oil and heat over medium-high heat.
• Add in the onion, garlic, carrot, cumin, and coriander.
• Saute, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes or until the onion is limp.
• Add the rice and lentils; saute fo 2 minutes.
• Add the water and salt; cover and bring to a boil.
• Lower heat and simmer about 40 minutes or until the rice and lentils are tender.
• Fluff mixture with a fork.
• Stir in the scallion and cilantro.
• Dry the skillet lid; place a crumpled paper towel over the rice, replace the lid and let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

BROWN RICE WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• In a 1-1/2 qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray, combine the first 10 ingredients. Cover and bake at 350° for 40 minutes. , Stir in the tomatoes and salt. Cover and bake for 20-30 minutes longer or until rice and lentils are tender. Remove and discard bay leaf. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 5-8 minutes or until cheese melts.

SPICED BROWN LENTILS WITH YOGURT

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, onion, garlic, bay leaf, and water in a medium soup pot or heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes. Add salt to taste (under-salt slightly because you will be reducing the liquid), and continue to simmer for another 15 minutes, until the lentils are falling apart tender and fragrant. Remove the onion and garlic and discard.
• Heat the oil in a large, heavy nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the spices and stir as they sizzle for about 30 seconds, until very fragrant. Add the beans with their liquid and cook, stirring and mashing with the back of a wooden spoon, until the mixture thickens, like refried beans. Add salt to taste, once the mixture has reduced to the desired consistency. Spoon onto plates and top each serving with a generous spoonful of yogurt and a sprinkling of chopped cilantro.