Best Sunny Lentils Recipes

Perfect Lentils image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 35m

Yield 3 cups

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 cup green, French Le Puy, brown or beluga lentils, rinsed and picked over
1/2 small onion
1 clove garlic
1 bay leaf
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, optional

Steps:

Place the lentils, onion, garlic and bay leaf in a medium saucepan and cover with about 3 inches of cold water (see Cook's Note). Bring to a medium boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and very gently simmer, uncovered, until the lentils are tender, about 22 to 26 minutes. Discard the onion, garlic and bay leaf and then drain the lentils. Season with salt and pepper and serve as a simple side dish. Or refrigerate them unseasoned to keep on hand for topping salads or folding into rice for an easy pilaf.
Serving Suggestion:
Cook 1/3 cup each of small-diced carrots, celery and onions in 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 4 minutes. Gently fold the vegetables into the cooked lentils along with 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and 2 teaspoons kosher salt.

Sunny-Side Up Lentil Salad image

Provided by Georgia Downard

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, including liquid
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup lentils, rinsed
2/3 cup finely diced celery
1/2 cup finely diced carrot
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
2 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon (or parsley)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 eggs
4 cups mixed baby lettuces

Steps:

Boil 3 cups water, tomatoes, onion, lentils, celery, carrot and thyme in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until lentils are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain; reserve cooking liquid. Return liquid to pan; boil over high heat to reduce liquid to 1/4 cup. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar and lentil mixture to liquid; stir over medium heat. Add 1 tbsp tarragon; season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat but keep warm. Whisk remaining 1⁄2 tbsp vinegar in a bowl with mustard and oil; add salt and pepper. Coat a medium skillet with cooking spray; set over medium heat. Carefully add eggs so yolks remain whole; cook until whites are set; add salt and pepper. Toss lettuces with mustard dressing; divide evenly among 4 plates. Top greens with 1/4 lentils and 1 egg each; sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon tarragon.
Serve with:
Half of a 6-inch whole-wheat pita per person

Warm French Lentils image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup good olive oil
1 leek, white and light green parts, sliced 1/4-inch thick
2 carrots, scrubbed and 1/2-inch diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup French green Le Puy lentils
1 whole onion, peeled and stuck with 6 whole cloves
1 white turnip, cut in half
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saute pan, add the leek and carrots, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute and set aside.
Meanwhile, place the lentils, 4 cups of water, the onion with the cloves, and the turnip in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are almost tender. Remove and discard the onion and turnip and drain the lentils. Place them in a medium bowl with the leek and carrots, and add the butter.
Meanwhile, whisk together the 1/4 cup of olive oil, the mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add to the lentils, stir well, and allow the lentils to cool until just warm, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve. The longer the lentils sit, the more salt and pepper you'll want to add.