Green Lentils Spread Recipes

GREEN LENTILS SPREAD

Steps:

• Crush the lentils with a coffee mill or in a mortar until they are the size of ground coffee.
• In a skillet cook the onions and garlic in the olive oil over medium heat until they are transparent.
• Add water, lentils, yeast and seasoning.
• Mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon.
• Reduce heat to low and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
• If the lentils are coarsely ground, the time can be up to 30 minutes.
• Take a cake baking dish and cover the bottom with transparent film (You can also use food plastic containers).
• Pour the lentils in the baking dish and let cool in the refrigerator.
• When cold, remove from the baking dish, cut in blocks and wrap in film for conservation.
• To serve, spread on an open pita bread with dijon-mayo or mayonnaise.

GREEN LENTIL SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut top 1/2" off head of garlic; place on sheet of foil and drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon oil. Roast garlic until tender, about 50 minutes. Let cool; squeeze cloves from skins and set aside. Discard skins.
• Meanwhile, heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion and next 5 ingredients; season with salt and pepper. Cook until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes. Add lentils; stir for 2 minutes. Add wine; simmer until almost all liquid is evaporated, 4-5 minutes. Pour in broth to cover lentils by 1". Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and gently simmer, adding more broth or water by 1/4-cupfuls as needed, until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. Let cool slightly; discard herbs.
• Pureée lentil mixture and garlic cloves in a food processor. Stir in remaining 1/2 cup oil and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.

GREEN LENTILS AND RICE ASSYRIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Place the lentils into a pot and cover with the water. Bring to a rolling boil over high heat for 5 minutes, then cover and remove from heat. Meanwhile, rinse the rice in cold water until water comes out clear.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the rice for about 1 minute, until the grains turn opaque and white, then stir in the lentils and water. Bring the rice mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to medium-low for 5 minutes. Stir once, then cover and reduce heat further to low. Continue cooking, covered (don't remove the lid!) until the rice is tender, about 15 minutes more.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in the skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until the onion is very tender and dark brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. When the rice is ready, stir in the caramelized onion and season with salt.

INDIAN LENTIL AND SPLIT PEA SPREAD

Steps:

• Cook lentils and split peas in large pot of boiling salted water until very tender, about 35 minutes. Drain.
• Heat 1/3 cup oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add turmeric and cumin and stir 1 minutes. Transfer mixture to processor. Add lentils and split peas, cilantro, lemon juice, chili powder and remaining 3 tablespoons oil. Process until smooth. Season generously with salt and pepper. Transfer to medium bowl. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.) Serve with pita bread.