French Lentil Dip Recipes

SIMPLE BRAISED FRENCH LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery and carrots and stir 4-5 minutes, then turn heat down to medium. Cook 4-5 more minutes and add the garlic and lentils. Cook 2 minutes stirring.
• Add the wine. Let this cook-off, about 2 minutes.
• Pour in the stock, salt, and mustard and stir until combined and bring to a good simmer. Add the bay leaves and thyme sprigs, cover and gently simmer on low heat 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
• When the lentils are tender, uncover and cook off any extra liquid ( or feel free to drain). Remove the thyme sprigs, taste and adjust salt. A tiny little splash of red wine vinegar livens them up.
• Leftovers can be frozen for later use, or refrigerated and made into a salad the next day- adding fresh veggies and a simple vinaigrette. Or use for breakfast, warmed on toast, with Sauteed Greens, a poached egg and an herby green sauce like gremolata or Leek oil. YUM. ????

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 LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add onion, carrot, and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 6 minutes. Add lentils and cover with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining oil, lemon juice, and red-pepper flakes. Season with salt. Add lentils, almonds (if using), cabbage, and herbs and toss to combine. Lentil salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

FRENCH LENTIL DIP

Steps:

• Combine cooked lentils, green onions, garlic, walnuts, mustard, tamari, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor; process until smooth.
• Drizzle oil through the chute and process to desired consistency.

ROASTED BEET AND LENTIL DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F with 2 racks set in the middle. Stir together 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon of the oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, thyme, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt together in a 2-quart baking dish. Add the beets and stir to coat in the liquid. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the upper rack of the oven until the beets are fork-tender, about 1 hour, stirring the beets once halfway through the cooking time.
• Meanwhile, spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast on the lower rack of the oven until slightly darkened in color and fragrant, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely. Finely chop 3 of the toasted walnuts and reserve for garnish.
• Remove the thyme from the baking dish and discard. Cool the beets and cooking liquid slightly, about 10 minutes. Add the beets, cooking liquid (along with the cooked garlic), whole toasted walnuts, lentils, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to a food processor. Process until smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Season with the remaining 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar if desired.
• Transfer the dip to a small serving bowl and garnish with the reserved walnuts. Serve with pita chips and vegetables.

GOLDEN LENTIL DIP

Steps:

• 1. In a medium pot over medium heat, combine the stock, lentils, onion, celery, saffron, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook gently until the lentils are tender and light golden in color, 20 to 35 minutes, depending on the lentils. (If they begin to dry out, add water as needed.) Drain, reserving any remaining liquid.
• 2. Transfer the lentil mixture to a food processor. Add the butter and pulse, adding the reserved liquid (or water, if you run out) 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dip has the consistency of hummus.
• 3. Place the dip in a bowl and let cool. Serve with pretzels, crackers, raw vegetables, or chicken tenders.

NORTH DAKOTA LENTIL DIP

Steps:

• Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until translucent.
• Stir in lentils, tomatoes and Seasoning Mix. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Spoon into serving bowl. Sprinkle with cheese.

LENTILS AND RED PEPPER DIP

Steps:

• In a skillet, softened bell peppers and garlic in oil. Add salt and pepper. Add chicken stock, lentils and lemon juice. Bring to boil. Cover and let simmer about 15 minutes or until lentils are tender.
• In a food processor, reduce in a creamy puree. Adjust seasoning. Let cool. Cover and refrigerate until cold.
• Serve as a dip with grilled pita bread, veggies or as a garnish for sandwiches.