What is your favorite simple lentil recipe?

[lactivistmama]

I need some suggestions for some easy to make lentil recipes. I keep buying lentils and have no idea what to do with them! :) Thanks!! 

[meemee]

this is our breakfast lentil recipe.

in oil or butter saute some onions, then throw in some lentils (the red ones) and cook until no whole kernel is left. throw in a dash of salt and pepper. and if you wish while serving some milk or even yummier - home made croutons.

for a lunch dish - heat oil in pan, throw in some cumin and then a couple of dried red chillies (if you want just the flavor keep the chillies whole, if you want the spice - break them up into little pieces) and fry them till the cumin stops sputtering.  then add the red lentils and stir them in so they are all coated and then put in water and boil.

a friend taught me this recipe. it was his favourite - red lentils and rice.

heal oil, add a stick of cinnamon, then add a few cloves and cardamom and whole peppercorn (imho the peppercorn really gives it the flavor, however they are too spicy for dd). when they are done which is kinda like 30 secs or 1 min,  add 3 parts lentils, one part rice - water and cook.

we love this brown lentil recipe too http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Lentil-Soup/Detail.aspx?k=1

dd has made this one and loves it http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/lentil-soup-recipe/index.html

i have made soups with french lentils too. possibly that is my favourite lentil. i only use the red for quick ones.

i use fresh ground coriander.

ahhhh found it. this is my friends recipe. i have not made it. but it is D E L I C I O U S!!!

Red Lentil and Tofu Dal Soup

Makes 4 quarts

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 medium onions, thinly sliced

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled fresh ginger

1½ cup red lentils, picked over and rinsed

9 cups water

1½ pounds firm tofu

1½ teaspoon ground cumin

1½ teaspoon Garam Masala or curry powder

one and one-half tablespoons salt

3 pinches of cayenne

½ cup chopped fresh parsley

     Heat 4-tablespoons oil in a 4½ quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat.  Add onions and cook for 7 or 8 minutes, stirring, until golden.  Add ginger and garlic, stirring, for 1 or 2 minutes.  Add lentils and water, bring just to a boil, and gently boil, uncovered, until lentils fall apart, about 20 minutes.

     Meanwhile, rinse tofu.  Cut tofu into ½ inch cubes and gently press between paper towels to remove excess moisture and set aside.

     When lentils are done cooking, add cumin, garam masala, salt, and cayenne to soup.  Then gently stir in tofu cubes.  Let soup stand, covered, for 5 minutes to allow flavors to develop, then stir in parsley.  Add salt to taste, if needed

[catnip]

1 cup lentils
2 cups water
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp tamari
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ginger
1 clove garlic, minced or crushed
1 small onion, chopped

Combine in an oven proof casserole, and bake at 350 for 90min-2hrs.
 

[mama2soren]

Originally Posted by catnip 

1 cup lentils
2 cups water
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp tamari
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ginger
1 clove garlic, minced or crushed
1 small onion, chopped

Combine in an oven proof casserole, and bake at 350 for 90min-2hrs.
 

This recipe has long been a favorite of ours, too (though I sub broth for the water if I have it, and sometimes swap out the syrup for honey).  It's cheap, easy, super quick, and uses stuff I almost always have around anyway.  How can you beat that?

I usually mix everything together in the morning, then cover it and allow it to soak in the fridge all day.  It cuts down on the cooking time.  Red lentils cook more quickly than brown or green lentils, and after being soaked, they're usually ready after 45-55 minutes in the oven.  We serve it with brown rice or quinoa and a side of roasted veggies.  Both our kids (4 and 1) inhale it.

[mama2soren]

This is the recipe I'm trying out tonight (curried red lentil soup with quinoa and chickpeas).  I'll let you know if it tastes as good as it looks!

I make these "sloppy lentils" often in the wintertime.  I love crock pot cooking, and this recipe comes out great every time!  It tastes great with a toasted whole wheat bun and a little coleslaw.  

[meemee]

 its no lentil time in our home right now. dd complained we are eating lentils too often. she is kinda tired of it. 

which is a bummer since the weather is finally cooler here and i was about to start our breakfast lentils soon. 

ahh well, its black beans now :)

[meemee]

Originally Posted by catnip 

1 cup lentils
2 cups water
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp tamari
1 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp ginger
1 clove garlic, minced or crushed
1 small onion, chopped

Combine in an oven proof casserole, and bake at 350 for 90min-2hrs.
 

 TWO hours?

what kind of lentils? either the brown or green? have you ever tried to cook it on the stove top? does it taste the same. coz woah it would only take 45 mins on the stove top. though you'd have to watch it. 

in our house lentils are our 'tv diners'. the red lentils. 15 mins is all it takes to cook. something quick and now. with quinoa or buckwheat on the side as they too take 15 mins and then steamed broccoli and voila i have a meal prepared and ready to eat in about 20 - 25 minutes. 

[tonttu]

One of my favorite winter warmers

soak brown or green lentils overnight , rinse well 

Put in a large pot and cook with water until almost soft , then add peeled and diced potatoes and carrots , chopped celery and a vegetable bouillon cube ( to taste ) 

finish cooking until everything is soft 

For a little added kick , you can put in a splash of apple cider vinegar 

[nstewart]

This one is yummy:  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/aarti-sequeira/mums-everyday-red-lentils-recipe/index.html

I haven't been disappointed by any of Aarti's recipes yet!  I do sub the spices if I don't have something (like black mustard in this one.  What is black mustard??)

[catnip]

I usually use brown lentils for it, and on the stove it takes about 45 minutes, but more attention. You can also do it in a crockpot or in a solar cooker.

[katelove]

Quick lentil soup

1 onion, diced
1 carrot, chopped
1clove of garlic, finely chopped
1cup red lentils
3-4 cups veggie stock
Salt and pepper
Oil

Sauté onion, carrots and garlic in oil for a couple of minutes. Add lentil and stir. Cover wih stock. Bring to the boil then simmer until lentils are cooked. About 20 mins I think. Season to taste.

[meemee]

Originally Posted by tonttu 

One of my favorite winter warmers

For a little added kick , you can put in a splash of apple cider vinegar 

that is a great trick i learnt from a friend. after that when i make lentil soup i always add some lemon or vinegar. it really makes a difference. 

well this thread reminded me of the brown lentils that were waiting for me to cook. and since dd wasnt here tonight that's what we made. i friend some onion and added coriander, thyme and pepper and cooked the lentils while in a wok in the same spice mix i added coconut oil, butter nut squash, broccoli, cauliflower and some squash. when teh lentils were almost done i dumped them into the almost ready veggies and threw in some cilantro and lemon. what a difference cilantro made. however i didnt have enough lemon so i added some ACV. delicious!!!!

[FitMOmmyOf2]

Yum! Great thread, I love lentils and any kind of dish involving them; soup being my favorite!

I don't have any recipe to share (yet) but wanted to say that ever since finding the baked honey-lentil dish here years ago, it's become one of my family's favorite!

Also, from the veg dinner thread another member gave me the hint on cooking lentils together with rice in the rice cooker (1 c lentils, 1 c brown rice -or quinoa-, 4 c water) and it's been another quick favorite of ours! Add some spices like cumin, pepper, garlic, onion, salt.. what ever you like and have some veggies on the side and you have a quick healthy meal!

Lentils are yummy!

[caiesmommy]

I don't know why the honey baked lentils say it takes that long...it's never taken more then an hour for me. I use brown lentils. And sometimes swap out the honey and soy for mustard and pure maple syrup.

Brown lentil recipe-

Slow cooker sloppy lentils(huge hit in our house)

Rice cooker Indian spiced lentils and brown rice with fried onions on top and lemon. My fave way to eat lentils

Stuffed peppers with lentils and rice

Lentil and tomato salad

Pasta with lentils

Red lentil recipes-

Dahl

Red lentil curried soup

Red lentil/butternut squash thai coconut soup
 

[FitMOmmyOf2]

Originally Posted by caiesmommy 

I don't know why the honey baked lentils say it takes that long...it's never taken more then an hour for me. I use brown lentils. And sometimes swap out the honey and soy for mustard and pure maple syrup.

Brown lentil recipe-

Slow cooker sloppy lentils(huge hit in our house)

Rice cooker Indian spiced lentils and brown rice with fried onions on top and lemon. My fave way to eat lentils

Stuffed peppers with lentils and rice

Lentil and tomato salad

Pasta with lentils

Red lentil recipes-

Dahl

Red lentil curried soup

Red lentil/butternut squash thai coconut soup
 

It was you who gave me the great 'recipe' to cook lentils & rice together in the rice cooker, wasn't it!? 

The red lentil/butternut squash thai coconut soup sounds awesome! I'll have to google if I can find a nice vegan recipe for it -unless you have one handy? 

[caiesmommy]

I believe it was me. I LOVE cooking rice and lentils together.

The butternut squash thai soup was pretty thrown together.

Sautee a small diced butternut squash,onion,garlic and ginger until tender. Add red curry paste to taste and stir. Add 1 cup of red lentils and 3 cups of water. Bring to boil then simmer until veg is soft and lentils mushy. Blend. Add coconut milk. If too thick add broth or water until right
 

[FitMOmmyOf2]

Thanks, caiesmommy! I'll have to make that, it sounds awesome!

[tonttu]

Another one , I just tried the other day 

one can ready-cooked lentils , drained 

one large carrot , peeled and chopped into small cubes 

2 celery sticks , cut into thin slices

1 small onion

Mix all together in a salad bowl 

mix

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp grainy mustard

pour over other ingredients and let sit in the fridge for a bit to marinate 

stir before serving 

[sweetsadie77]

From the more with less cookbook

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/baked-lentils-with-cheese-2/

So delicious!

[FitMOmmyOf2]

Originally Posted by tonttu 

Another one , I just tried the other day 

one can ready-cooked lentils , drained 

one large carrot , peeled and chopped into small cubes 

2 celery sticks , cut into thin slices

1 small onion

Mix all together in a salad bowl 

mix

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tsp grainy mustard

pour over other ingredients and let sit in the fridge for a bit to marinate 

stir before serving 

Ohh.. this looks yummy!!! Thanks for sharing!