lentil
I find it endearing that the optical lens is names after the lentil (Latin for “lens”), whose shape it echoes. The big up side to cooking lentil recipes is they are substantial, filling, highly nutritious, and relatively quick to cook.
Lentils are great cooked into stews, mashed into spreads, molded into croquettes of all sizes, and mixed into grain-based salads. Plus, unlike most dried beans, they require no pre-soaking. They’re also a lot of fun to sprout. Some varieties of lentils hold their shape, while others have a tendency to turn quickly to mush. I’ve found that peppery green Le Puy lentils from France, hold their shape nicely, as do black beluga lentils. I’m often tempted by the vibrant hues of the red and yellow varieties, but because they lose structure so quickly they are best in pureed soups or more traditional Indian preparations., such as dal.
Don’t let their diminutive size fool you; lentils have one of the richest protein profiles of any vegetable, backed up with super-sized levels of iron, fiber, and folate.
Avocado Salad
A few snapshots from Mexico City & an avocado salad - thinly sliced avocado arranged over simple lentils, drizzled with oregano oil, toasted hazelnuts, and chives.
Kabocha French Lentil Soup
An anise and ginger-spiked French lentil soup, from a charming little cookbook I stumbled on titled SoupLove. The broth is thickened by lots of roasted winter squash, and it's great with lots of garlicky croutons.
Palak Daal
A palak daal recipe from Kasa's Anamika Khanna - a hearty pot of spinach, lentils, and spices. Kasa is a favorite Indian restaurant of mine here in San Francisco.
Red Lentil Soup
A single-pot lentil soup with brown rice. Made by browning some onions, adding the rest of the ingredients, and simmering until the whole lot until its done.
Lentil Almond Stir-Fry
A good cold-weather stir-fry recipe. Tiny potatoes, brussels sprout wedges, toasted almonds and lentils are served with a drizzle of mint and a bit of thinned-out, salted plain yogurt, and a sprinkling of chopped dates.
Curried Bean Salad
This bean salad recipe salad features pretty heirloom beans along with a few black lentils, splashed with a brightly-flavored ginger-curry vinaigrette.
Vegetarian Lentil Burgers
Tasty, hearty vegetarian lentil burger recipe. Slathered with saffron yogurt and stuffed with avocado, lettuce, and onions.
Beluga Lentil Crostini
This has become one of my favorite crostini recipes - goat cheese, black beluga lentils, and chives on garlic-rubbed crostini.
