Greek Lentils Recipes

GREEK LENTIL SOUP RECIPE (FAKES SOUPA)

Steps:

• To prepare this Greek lentil soup recipe, start by washing the lentils thoroughly and let them soak in water for about 2 hours. If you like, you can skip this process by adding them into a deep pan along with some water and place over high heat. As soon as they come to the boil, drain them into a colander.
• Place a pan over medium-low heat and add the lentils, the water (warmed), the chopped onions, the chopped garlic and the bay leaves. Simmer with the lid on for about 25 minutes.
• Pour in the olive oil and the red wine vinegar, and season well with salt and pepper. If you prefer your Greek lentil soup to be 'reddened', then add 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.
• Boil the lentil soup for another 15 minutes, until it thickens and check out if they are done; keep in my mind that different kinds of lentils cook at different times.
• Serve this delicious Greek lentil soup with a splash of red wine vinegar and a drizzle of olive oil. Top with some crumbled feta cheese and enjoy!

GREEK LENTIL PIE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a medium-size heavy skillet and add onion. Cook, stirring, until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt and garlic and stir together until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Remove from heat.
• In a medium-size bowl combine cooked onion and garlic with lentils, herbs, and feta.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine butter and remaining olive oil in a ramekin or pyrex measuring cup, or in a small pot, and heat gently until butter has melted. Brush a 9-inch straight sided tart pan or cake pan, either ceramic or metal, with butter and oil. Lay your phyllo dough out on a work surface and cover completely with a kitchen towel. Moisten another kitchen towel, and place on top of the dry towel. Remove phyllo one sheet at a time, replacing towels each time.
• Lay a sheet of phyllo in the pan, tucking it into the seam of the pan, with edges overhanging rim. Brush it lightly with butter and oil and turn pan slightly, then place another sheet on top, positioning it so that edges overlap another section of pan's rim. Continue to layer in 5 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each one with butter and oil and staggering them so that overhang on the rim of pan is evenly distributed and covers entire pan.
• Fill lined pan with lentil filling, then fold overhanging edges in over filling, brushing each one lightly with butter/oil mixture.
• Layer remaining 5 sheets of dough over top, brushing each sheet with butter and olive oil and rotating pan slightly after each addition. Crimp edges into sides of pan. Brush top with butter and oil. Pierce top of pie in several places with a sharp knife. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, until top is golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. Re-crisp phyllo before serving if necessary in a low oven for 10 to 20 minutes.

GREEK LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a large stock pot, heat the oil and saute garlic, celery, onions, and carrot until veggies are tender.
• Add the water, stock, and the rinsed lentils.
• Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 45 minutes or until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Add the tomatoes, along with the juice in the can, as well as the chopped herbs, and salt and pepper.
• Stir in the spinach and simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes more.
• Re-check seasoning before serving.

GREEK STYLE LENTILS

Steps:

• Wash and sort lentils. Put them and 2 qts. water over medium heat.
• When they begin to simmer, add everything else.
• Continue to simmer, uncovered, until they are cooked and sauce is thickened, about 30 minutes.

GREEK LENTIL SOUP (FAKES)

Steps:

• Place lentils in a large saucepan; add enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring water to a boil and cook for 10 minutes; drain.
• Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, onion, and carrot; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour in lentils, 1 quart water, oregano, rosemary, and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir in tomato paste and season with salt and pepper. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils have softened, 30 to 40 minutes. Add additional water if the soup becomes too thick. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and red wine vinegar to taste.

GREEK PASTITSIO WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Cook the macaroni in enough boiling water to cover for about 10 minutes, and drain. Cool under cold running water and reserve.
• Cook the lentils in 4 cups boiling water for about 25 minutes or until tender. Drain.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large skillet heat the oil. When hot, add the onion, and saute for 2 minutes. Add the wine, and simmer for 10 minutes or until the wine has evaporated and the onion is tender. Add the cinnamon, tomato sauce and lentils; simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
• In a medium-size saucepan heat the milk. Whisk in the oat bran and nutmeg, and simmer for 1 minute, stirring constantly; remove from the heat. Stir the macaroni into the milk mixture, and mix well.
• Spoon half the macaroni mixture onto the bottom of a 9-inch-square baking pan. Spoon half the lentil mixture on top, spreading evenly. Repeat with the remaining macaroni and lentils. Sprinkle on the cheese. Cover with foil, and bake for 15 minutes or until the pastitsio is hot.