Spiced Pineapple Lentils Recipes

MISIR WOT (SPICY RED LENTILS)

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a large bowl and fill with cold water. Massage the lentils with your hands to remove any dirt or debris. Rinse the lentils a few times until the water runs clear. This may require several rinses. Soak the lentils in lukewarm water for approximately 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the onions and tomatoes to a large pot and cook over medium heat until beginning to soften, about 4 minutes. Add the olive oil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Make sure the onions do not get too dark. Add the berbere and continue to cook until the berbere is fully combined with the onion and tomato mixture, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 1 cup water and cook the tomato, onion and berbere mixture until it reduces and begins to stick to the pan, about 10 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, scrape the bottom of the pot to bring up the stuck tomatoes and onions. Add another 1 cup water and allow the mixture to reduce again for another 10 minutes. Scrape the bottom of the pot. Add 1 cup water more, reduce again for 10 minutes then scrape the bottom of the pot (Adding and reducing 3 times will give your lentils a rich and layered flavor.) Be sure not to step away from the pot during this process. As Azla says, "Misir wot has jealous tendencies and wants your full, undivided attention from start to finish."
• Strain the soaked lentils in a colander and allow them to drain for a few minutes. Meanwhile, add 8 cups water to the pot and bring to a rolling boil. Add the lentils, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thick and the lentils are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Finish with the ground nutmeg and sea salt to taste. Serve with injera or your favorite whole grain.

SPICED CRACKED WHEAT AND LENTILS FOR GROWN-UPS

Steps:

• Heat oil and butter in a large sauce pan. Add ginger, garlic, turmeric, paprika, coriander, cinnamon and cumin and saute for a couple of minutes. Add cracked wheat and lentils and saute for 2 to 3 minutes to coat with oil. Add water, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and cover; cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until wheat and lentils are tender (if water is evaporating too quickly, add more). Adjust seasoning. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl and garnish with tomatoes, and jalapenos. Center some yogurt in middle of the dish and garnish with cilantro.

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 LENTIL & SPINACH PIES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a wide-based pan. Add the onion and cook over a low heat for 10 mins, stirring, until softened. Mix in the garlic, ginger and spices and cook for 1 min more. Tip in the lentils, pour over the vegetable stock, season and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, then cover and cook for 20 mins until the lentils are tender.
• Meanwhile, heat half the butter in a large pan, add the spinach and cook until wilted. Season, then drain. Stir the spinach through the lentils with the lemon zest and juice and coriander, then leave to cool.
• Mix together all the ingredients for the egg wash. Assemble the pies as directed in the pastry recipe, adding a spoonful of chutney to the middle of each. Glaze with the spiced egg wash before baking.

SPICY PINEAPPLE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, mix the crushed pineapple, cornstarch and ground ginger. Gradually stir in enough of the reserved pineapple juice to make the mixture smooth.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, blend orange juice and maple syrup. Cook and stir 5 minutes, until clear and thickened. Mix in the pineapple mixture. Continue to cook and stir until well blended and thick, about 15 minutes.

SPICED PINEAPPLE

Steps:

• Drain pineapple, reserving 1 cup juice. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, vinegar, cinnamon, cloves, salt and reserved pineapple juice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes., Discard cinnamon and cloves. Add pineapple. Return to a boil; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes. Serve warm with a slotted spoon.

PINEAPPLE LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat oil in medium pot over moderate heat.
• Saute onions with the salt and pepper, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and lentils, cook for 2 minutes.
• Add water and bring to a boil.
• Reduce to a simmer, cook covered for 45 minutes.
• Stir in the pineapple and serve.