Lentil
Pasta with Lentils and Kale
This dish has been one of my family's favorites for years; the secret to its enduring popularity is the caramelized onions. I cook them long and slow until they are meltingly tender and deep golden brown. Their rich sweetness rounds out the earthy flavor of the lentils and kale.
Curried Red-Lentil Stew with Vegetables
In India, lentil-based dals are often served as a side dish, but adding a host of vibrant vegetables turns this into a main course. Brightened with turmeric and infused with garlic, ginger, and spices, the red lentils are cooked down into a creamy purée. Best of all, the flavor improves with time, so make it ahead for a night when you need a quick supper.
Vegetarian-Style Congee (Xi-fan)
Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are from China Modern by Ching-He Huang.
In Chinese, Xi-fan means "watery rice." This modern version contains both brown rice and mixed whole grains.
By Ching He Huang
Sausage and Lentils with Fennel
A fennel trifecta—you'll find that the sweet fronds, bulb, and seeds mix harmoniously in this dish.
Sausages and Green Lentils with Tomato Salsa
Editor's note: The recipe and introductory text below are from Jamie Oliver's book, Jamie's Italy. This dish features a classic Italian combination — lentils and sausage — and is a traditional part of New Year's because the main ingredients are thought to be lucky.
Salsicce con lenticchie verdi e salsa di pomodoro
The equivalent of bangers and mash in Italy is definitely a good roasted sausage with a pile of lenticchie di Castelluccio and a spicy salsa rossa tomato sauce — a genius combo.
By Jamie Oliver
Red-Lentil and Red-Pepper Pâté
This vegetarian pâté, satisfyingly rich with a silky texture, will entice even the most die-hard carnivores. If you're not worried about keeping it vegetarian, you can substitute an equal amount of unflavored gelatin for the agar flakes.
Coconut Red-Lentil Curry
Coconut milk adds a silky richness to this South Indian–style vegetarian meal.
Lentil Soup with Lamb and Mint
Gemma Sanita Sciabica of Modesto, California, writes: "My husband's family produces olive oil, and I'm the company's recipe developer. We often hear from customers who love our oil but complain that they don't have the time to cook. Their comments inspired me to share my favorite recipes, which show just how simple great Italian food can be."
Lentil, Apple, and Turkey Wrap
By Melissa Clark
Pasta with Lentil Bolognese
By Melissa Clark
Golden Lentil Dip
By Melissa Clark
Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Lentils, Bacon, and Cider Reduction
Lentilles du Puy are lighter than other lentils and hold their shape especially well during cooking.
By Deborah Snow
Yellow Lentil Soup
Lentils are a very ancient food staple, and have been the basis of diets in the Middle East for millennia. To perk up the flavor of this soup, cooks often add a spritz of lemon juice to each serving at the last minute.
Orange Lentil Soup (Shorabat Adas)
Cumin lends a unique flavor and aroma to this popular Ramadan soup. Sometimes, for a heartier version, I add Kafta balls just after I purée the lentils and let them cook together. Lemon juice is thought to aid the body in absorbing the iron in the lentils, so I always squeeze some into each serving—it brightens the flavor, too.
Shorabat Adas is delicious the next day; just add a little water to the cold lentils, which will be very thick, before reheating it. You can freeze it, too, in a tightly covered rigid container for up to 6 months.
By May S. Bsisu
Foamy White Steamed Rice and Bean Dumplings
Idlee is the world-famous south Indian breakfast or tiffin treat.
By Julie Sahni
Sautéed Cod With Lentils
We highly recommend using French green lentils for this recipe because they become tender without falling apart.
Lentil and Roasted Garlic Soup with Seared Steak
When garlic is cooked very slowly in olive oil, the result is two delicious ingredients — soft roasted garlic and garlic oil — that give this soup an Italian feel and great flavor.
By Peter Gordon
Smoky Red-Lentil Soup with Cheddar Toasts
Sometimes the simplest meals are the most delicious. This bacony soup with toasted cheese couldn't be more satisfying.