Lentils Couscous Recipes

LENTILS COUSCOUS RECIPE

Steps:

• Saute onions with olive oil (stirring occasionally) until golden brown. Reserve 4 tablespoons of browned onions for garnish.
• Meanwhile place lentils, water (or broth) salt,and black Pepper in a different saucepan and cook for around 20 minutes or until lentils are tender.
• Add Couscous, browned onions, cumin, and dash of cayenne to the lentils, stir, cover and simmer for about 5-10 minutes or until water is absorbed.
• Place Lentils and Couscous in serving dish and garnish with 4 tablespoons of reserved browned onions.
• This recipe is best when served with Tomatoe Salad. See my recipe for Tomatoe Salad.

MOROCCAN LENTILS AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a medium saucepan.
• Add garlic, spices, and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 40 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking time.
• While lentils are cooking, bring 1 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan.
• Remove from heat, stir in couscous, cover, and set aside for 15 minutes.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is nicely browned, about 10 minutes.
• Add lentils to skillet and mix well.
• Remove and discard bay leaf. Serve lentils over couscous.

LENTILS WITH CHICKPEAS AND COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Bring lentils and 6 cups water to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered 15 minutes, or until lentils are just tender.
• Bring 1 1/4 cups broth and raisins to a boil. Stir in coucous, cover and remove from heat.
• Place salsa, cilantro, tomato paste and cumin in ffood processor and puree until smooth.
• Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Add onion and carrot, and season with salt and pepper. Cook 5 to 6 minutes, or until slightly broned, stirring frequently. Add salsa mixture, remaining 1 1/2 cups broth and chickpeas. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Drain lentils and add to chickpea sauce. Thin with additional broth if sauce is too thick.
• Place coucous in 6 bowls and top with sauce. Sprinkle each serving with mint and pine nuts, and serve.

MEDITERRANEAN COUSCOUS AND LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• In a small saucepan simmer lentils in water to cover by 2 inches until tender but not falling apart, 15 to 20 minutes, and drain well. Transfer hot lentils to a bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Cool lentils completely, stirring occasionally.
• In a saucepan bring water to a boil and add couscous and salt. Remove pan from heat and let couscous stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with a fork and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in 1 tablespoon oil and cool completely, stirring occasionally.
• In a small bowl whisk together garlic paste, remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar, remaining 3 tablespoons oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir lentils and dressing into couscous. Chill salad, covered, at least 3 hours and up to 24.
• Just before serving, stir in remaining ingredients and season with salt and pepper.

LENTIL AND COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Combine red onion, lemon juice and vinegar in large bowl with a pinch of salt.
• Put lentils and 4 cups of water in pot and bring to boil then simmer for 20 minutes or til lentils are soft.
• Take off heat and let rest for 5 minutes.
• Drain and add to onion mixture along with the 1/3 cup of olive oil.
• Toss well.
• Bring 1 cup of water to boil, add couscous, take off heat, cover and let stand for 5 minutes.
• Fluff up the couscous by raking with a fork and adding slowly the 1 T of olive oil. Try to get rid of the clumps.
• Add the couscous to the lentil mixture along with the parsley, mint and scallions.
• Salt and pepper to taste.