Syrian Noodles With Lentils Recipes

SYRIAN SPAGHETTI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, cinnamon, oil, salt and pepper. Transfer to prepared dish.
• Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour, or until top is crunchy.

LENTILS WITH NOODLES, ONIONS AND TOMATOES: SYRIAN RISHTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a 5-qt nonstick Dutch Oven and saute the onions and garlic over low heat, stirring constanly for 5 minutes, or until the onions are soft and begin to brown. Stir in the lentils and add the chicken stock. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Then stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, hot pepper flakes, cumin, allspice, coriander, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes more, or until the lentils are soft but hold their shape.
• Meanwhile, boil and drain the pasta. Transfer the lentils and pasta to a large warm serving bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice and toss lightly. Serve hot.
• Note: Rishta or "threads" are thin, ribbonlike fresh homemade pasta.

SYRIAN NOODLES WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large casserole. Saute onion & garlic until the onion is tender. Add cumin & coriander. Saute for another minute over medium heat.
• Add cayenne pepper, lentils, bay leaf & water. Bring to a boil. Add salt & pepper to taste, cover, reduce heat & simmer for 45 minutes.
• Simmer only until the lentils are just tender. Adjust seasonings.
• Just before serving, bring back to a simmer & add the noodles. Cook until al dente, about 4 to 10 minutes. Serve at once in bowls.
• In place of vermicelli, use wholewheat spaghetti noodles or macaroni.

PASTA AND LENTILS (PASTA E LENTICCHIE)

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 5 cups of water, the lentils, the thyme and bay leaves (if using). Partially cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are al dente, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil over high. Add the pasta and cook, stirring often to keep the pasta from sticking to the pot, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 20 minutes. (It may take longer than the cook time on the package.) If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add more water, 1/4 cup at a time.
• Turn off the heat, discard the thyme and bay leaves, then stir in the Parmesan. Cover and let sit for 3 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Eat with more Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.