I had lentils for the very first time...

[makedah]

And I kinda liked 'em! It was at an Ethiopian restaurant. They were a side dish served like a 'salad': cold, tossed with some kind of vinaigrette (my best description), with some chopped red onion and bell pepper. I know that a lot of beans get called 'lentils,' but these were the standard green ones shaped like a lens.

I want to eat more legumes, but I find the texture of many beans to be too grainy. I HATE having granules in my mouth - ick, spew! (Which is why I don't like rice, couscous or grits) I was glad to see that I liked these, so if anyone has a beginner's recipe for lentils that doesn't make them end up 'mushy', I'd love to see it! I have the CL issue with the story on lentils, but I wanted to cast my net to see if there were others...

[SusieO]

Hi Makedah!

There is a lentil salad in last November's CL that was really good. Lentils are a food I have struggled to find a way to enjoy. Here is recipe I really like. It was posted a while back by Ohioan:

Easy Vegetable Dal

Recipe By :Rose Elliot
Serving Size : 1

1/2 c red lentils
1 slice ginger root
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp cumin seed
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1 dash cayenne pepper
1/2 onion, sliced thin
1 carrot, sliced thin
1/2 clove garlic, crushed
3/8 c frozen peas
1/2 tsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste

Put the lentils, ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, and cayenne pepper into a saucepan with 2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic, and continue simmering the lentils for about 25 minutes, until they are soft and porridge-like and the vegetables are tender. Add the peas and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until heated through. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

Source: "Vegetarian Fast Food"

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 496 Calories; 3g Fat (4.4% calories from fat); 33g Protein; 91g Carbohydrate; 37g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 115mg Sodium. Exchanges: 4 Grain(Starch); 2 1/2 Lean Meat; 5 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 0 Fat.



Also, Bree's Lentil Soup was really good, but may be too mushy for your taste. I think the type of lentil makes a difference. I'm no expert, but I think green lentils are the most firm, and the red ones are the least firm.

In The Occasional Vegetarian there is a French Lentil Salad with Goat Cheese. Let me know if you want the recipe. :)

[lindrusso]

Do you have the issue with Megadarra recipe - it's from October 2001? This is very tasty and easy to assemble! However, if you don't like caramelized onions, then skip it - they make the recipe - it would be very bland without them! :)

[makedah]

I forgot that I started this thread!

Thanks for the info. I'll check out the lentil salad and the megadarra. I don't think that red lentil dish will be for me, alas. (cook until the lentils are 'porridge like'? aieeee!!!!) I have South Asian friends so I've eaten dal, and I don't like it! (see my comments about grits, et al)

[clarksmom]

I too have made that recipe and loved it. I just discovered them last year and I have recently asked some middle eastern friends of mine who really responded to a meal I made to give me some suggestions. They mentioned they had them all the time growing up and their mom had a few great staple recipes in their house. I'll get them to you if you like. I have them......somewhere.

[valchemist]

this is a completely non-traditional lentil recipe that is in our rotation...DH calls them the best sloppy joes he has had. The lentils are not mushy in this recipe.

It is based on a recipe I found in Taste of Home, but I fiddled with the ingredients a bit to come up with this adaptation. The recipe is very forgiving as far as all of the "seasonings" go...

val




* Exported from MasterCook *

Sloppy Joes with Lentils


Serving Size : 6

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 lb extra lean ground beef
1/2 c chopped onion
1 clove garlic -- minced
2 c water
8 ozs tomato sauce
1/2 c dried lentils -- rinsed
1/2 c ketchup
1 tsp cider vinegar
1/2 tsp ground mustard
1/4 tsp pepper
6 hamburger buns

Cook onion, garlic, and beef in skillet over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Drain.

Add the water, tomato sauce, lentils, ketchup, vinegar, mustard, and peppers. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 60 to 70 minutes or until lentils are tender.

Serve on buns.

Additional ingredients could include:
1 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp chili powder
1/8 tsp cayenne



Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 392 Calories; 15g Fat (35.3% calories from fat); 23g Protein; 40g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 52mg Cholesterol; 761mg Sodium. Exchanges: 2 Grain(Starch); 2 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

[Linda in MO]

Thanks for the sloppy joe recipe, Val. I'm going to give them a try with some leftover lentils that I bought to make Bree's Lentil Soup (blech! :p ) I considered throwing them away, but now you've given me a use for them. :)

[valchemist]

your welcome. I always am fiddling with this recipe...
I usually add more lentils (sometimes I use a full cup) and I don't adjust the amout of water and it is fine. I usually use lots of chili powder and extra mustard powder. but just taste it as it is simmering and see what you want to do to adjust it to your liking!