Baked Eggs With Lentils Recipes

SPICED LENTILS AND SCRAMBLED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cumin, paprika, oregano, allspice, nutmeg, bell peppers, onion, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and starting to caramelize in spots, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the capers and garlic and cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the lentils and 2 cups water to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are just tender and the water has evaporated, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Push the lentils around the edges of the pan, making a circle in the center about 6 inches in diameter. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat over medium-low heat. Add the eggs and cook, gently pushing them back and forth with a rubber spatula as they begin to set, until softly scrambled, 6 to 8 minutes. (It's ok if some of the lentils get into the eggs while they are cooking. Everything is going to be combined in the end anyway!)
• Fold the lentils into the eggs along with the tomatoes and olives. Divide among bowls and garnish with basil if using. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

BAKED EGGS WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Bring the lentils to the boil in a large kettle of water and simmer, covered, for 35-40 minutes until soft. Drain.
• Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan and fry the onion, garlic and peppers gently until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Mix in the cooked lentils and the tomatoes, parsley, bay leaf and water. Season well. Cook over moderate heat, stirring, for 10-15 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the mixture is fairly thick.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased ovenproof dish, removing the bay leaf. Make four slight hollows with the back of a spoon. Break in the eggs. Sprinkle with the sherry, cover and bake for 20 minutes, or until the egg whites are firm.
• Serve at once, garnished with the parsley sprigs.