Spiced Lentils Recipes

SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• Bring 1 cup red or yellow lentils, 4 cups water, a pinch of turmeric and a 1-inch piece chopped ginger to a boil; simmer 15 to 20 minutes. Whisk vigorously; season with salt. Cook 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, 2 sliced garlic cloves and 2 to 3 dried red chiles in a skillet with 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat, 2 minutes. Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes; cook 1 minute. Stir into the lentils with some chopped cilantro.

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.

SPICED LENTILS WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Brown 1 bunch leeks (halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise) in 3 tablespoons olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat, 7 to 8 minutes; add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Add 3/4 cup dried brown or green lentils, 3 cups water, 1 bay leaf, 1 star anise pod and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are soft, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and star anise. Season with salt, top with mint and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with lime wedges.

SPICY LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a dutch oven over medium heat and add onions, ginger, and a dash of salt& pepper.
• Cover and cook for 10 mins until soft.
• Add garlic, curry powder, cumin, coriander and cook for 1 minute.
• Add water, broth, lentils and bay leaves and bring to the boil.
• Cover and reduce heat, simmer for 2 hrs until tender and the liquid is absorbed.
• Remove bay leaves, add the yogurt and tomato puree and simmer 5 minutes until heated through.

SPICED CARROT & LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan and dry-fry 2 tsp cumin seeds and a pinch of chilli flakes for 1 min, or until they start to jump around the pan and release their aromas.
• Scoop out about half with a spoon and set aside. Add 2 tbsp olive oil, 600g coarsely grated carrots, 140g split red lentils, 1l hot vegetable stock and 125ml milk to the pan and bring to the boil.
• Simmer for 15 mins until the lentils have swollen and softened.
• Whizz the soup with a stick blender or in a food processor until smooth (or leave it chunky if you prefer).
• Season to taste and finish with a dollop of plain yogurt and a sprinkling of the reserved toasted spices. Serve with warmed naan breads.

SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• Bring first 4 ingredients and 1 tablespoon oil to boil in large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium; simmer uncovered until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes. Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until brown, about 18 minutes. Mix in chili powder and cloves; stir 1 minute.
• Stir onion mixture into lentils. Season with pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle with curry powder, then cilantro.