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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.

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.

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."

Golden Lentil Dip

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.

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.

Foamy White Steamed Rice and Bean Dumplings

Idlee is the world-famous south Indian breakfast or tiffin treat.

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.

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.
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