Best Spiced Lentils And Cantaloupe Recipes

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 LENTILS AND SCRAMBLED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cumin, paprika, oregano, allspice, nutmeg, bell peppers, onion, 2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of black pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and starting to caramelize in spots, 6 to 7 minutes. Stir in the capers and garlic and cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the lentils and 2 cups water to the skillet and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are just tender and the water has evaporated, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Push the lentils around the edges of the pan, making a circle in the center about 6 inches in diameter. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat over medium-low heat. Add the eggs and cook, gently pushing them back and forth with a rubber spatula as they begin to set, until softly scrambled, 6 to 8 minutes. (It's ok if some of the lentils get into the eggs while they are cooking. Everything is going to be combined in the end anyway!)
• Fold the lentils into the eggs along with the tomatoes and olives. Divide among bowls and garnish with basil if using. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

SPICED LENTILS WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Brown 1 bunch leeks (halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise) in 3 tablespoons olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat, 7 to 8 minutes; add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Add 3/4 cup dried brown or green lentils, 3 cups water, 1 bay leaf, 1 star anise pod and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are soft, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and star anise. Season with salt, top with mint and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with lime wedges.

FISH WITH SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• Finely chop one of the lime quarters, including skin. Heat 2 tbsp oil in a medium saucepan then fry onions over a medium heat for 5 mins until softened and starting to colour. Add the curry powder and tomato purée then fry for another min. Tip in 200ml water, lentils, mango chutney and the chopped lime then bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 mins or until thickened.
• Heat remaining oil in a frying pan. Season the fish with salt and pepper to taste then fry for 5 mins, turning halfway, until golden and cooked through. Add a squeeze of lime to the pan and to the lentils then serve together with naan bread or chapatis on the side.

SPICY LENTILS WITH CORNBREAD

Steps:

• 1. In a large pot warm the oil under medium heat, then add the sliced carrot and minced garlic, fry for about 5 minutes just until the garlic has cooked. Then add the bay leaf , peppercorns, whole cloves and chilies ( leave out for a non spicy version), you'll fry these for about 2 minutes, this brings out or release the flavors and scents of the spices. You'll smell the spiciness from the chili and peppercorns, and the intense scent of the cloves.
• 2. Have your water ready, next add the paprika, salt, bouillon and lentils. Stir to distribute all the spices and lentils. Now you can add your water to the pot, ( note for every cup of lentils you add one and half cups of water.).
• 3. Bring the lentils to boil over medium heat, then lower the heat and continue cooking until the lentils are soft. It depends on your taste if you want the lentils to have more of a soupy texture than you'll need to add more water. Check on them often to make sure they don't get to dry.
• This recipe makes a hearty meal by serving the lentils with some smoked meat, smoked ham is what you see here, and corn bread. Or vegetarians can skip the meat and just enjoy.

SPICED CANTALOUPE

Steps:

• Remove the seeds from the cantaloupe, cut off the rind and cut into 1"x2" strips or squares.
• Dissolve the alum in the water and bring to a boil.
• Add the cantaloupe and cook for 15 minutes.
• Drain well.
• Combine the vinegar, sugar, and spices.
• Add the cantaloupe and simmer slowly until the melon is transparent, about 45 minutes.
• Place in hot sterilized jars and seal.

SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• Bring first 4 ingredients and 1 tablespoon oil to boil in large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium; simmer uncovered until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes. Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until brown, about 18 minutes. Mix in chili powder and cloves; stir 1 minute.
• Stir onion mixture into lentils. Season with pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle with curry powder, then cilantro.