Creamy French Lentils With Celery Root And Garlic Recipes

BASIC FRENCH LENTILS

Steps:

• Pick over the lentils, removing any stones. Rinse under cold water and drain well.
• Put lentils in a saucepan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes. Pour into strainer and rinse with cold water. Rinse saucepan as well and return lentils to pan.
• Push the clove into the onion and place onion in saucepan. Add carrot, celery, garlic, bay leaf and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook 25-30 minutes until almost tender. Skim off any solids that rise up while cooking. Season with salt and pepper and cook an additional 5-10 minutes until fully tender. Add Cognac, if using.
• Drain the lentils (save the cooking liquid if you're planning to reheat them later). Discard the garlic, bay leaf and clove. Dice the vegetables and stir back into the lentils along with the shallot, if using.
• Serve hot or at room temperature. Store lentils and cooking liquid separately in airtight containers in refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat lentils in cooking liquid in a covered saucepan over low heat.

FRENCH LENTILS WITH GARLIC AND THYME

Steps:

• Place a large saucepan over medium heat and add oil. When hot, add chopped vegetables and sauté until softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add 6 cups water, lentils, thyme, bay leaves and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a fast simmer.
• Simmer lentils until they are tender and have absorbed most of the water, 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, drain any excess water after lentils have cooked. Serve immediately, or allow them to cool and reheat later.

FRENCH LENTILS WITH CARAMELIZED CELERY ROOT AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Bring water and lentils to a boil in amedium saucepan. Reduce heat, and gentlysimmer, partially covered, until lentils arejust tender, 27 to 30 minutes. Drain lentils,and transfer to a medium bowl.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon oil in a mediumnonstick high-sided skillet over mediumheat. Cook celery root, stirring occasionally,until caramelized, 18 to 20 minutes.
• Add celery root to bowl with lentils. Stirin parsley, lemon juice, shallot, 1 teaspoonsalt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and remaining tablespoon oil. Let cool. Divide among 4 bowls.

BRAISED CELERY WITH LENTILS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat ¼ cup oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high. Add celery and toss to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until celery is very lightly browned, about 5 minutes, then add garlic and toss to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is deep golden brown and celery is tender and golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Mix in 1 tsp. kosher salt, then add wine and herbs (if using) and stir to combine. Cook until wine is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil; stir in lentils. Cook until lentils are warmed through and flavors have come together, about 5 minutes. Taste and season with more kosher salt if needed. Fish out herb sprigs if using and discard.
• Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Crack eggs into skillet and cover with a lid (or a baking sheet if you don't have one), reduce heat to low, and cook just until egg whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes.
• Divide braised celery mixture among bowls. Top each with an egg and some celery leaves; sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread, if desired.

LENTIL AND CELERY ROOT SALAD

Steps:

• Cook celery root in pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 45 minutes. Drain, cool and peel. Cut enough of root into 1/4-inch cubes to yield 1 1/2 cups.
• Cook lentils in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, about 20 minutes. Drain; cool.
• Whisk oil, vinegar, garlic, rosemary and nutmeg to blend in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper; add cheese.
• Mix celery root, lentils and dressing in bowl. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Toss occasionally.)