Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Lentils


I have been making lentils in various forms this fall. The lentils in the bowl above were made overnight in my crockpot.

Lentil Soup with Curry

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb. lentils
  • 3 cups of water
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 slice of ginger root
  • Salt, turmeric, cumin to taste

Put all the ingredients except the spices in the crockpot. Cook on low overnight. In the morning, add the salt, turmeric and cumin.

Lentil Salad with Lemon Juice

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb. lentils
  • 1 1/2 cups of water
  • lemon juice, preferably from fresh lemons
  • salt to taste
  • optional: parsley

The key to making lentil salad as opposed to lentil soup is use less water. Cook the lentils with the water for about two hours (this is how long it takes in my crockpot). When the lentils are tender, add the lemon juice and salt. Garnish with parsley. Can be served hot or room temperature.

Lentil Soup with Tomatoes

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 lb. lentils
  • 3 cups of water
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 1 slice of ginger root
  • Handful of baby carrots
  • 2 sliced zucchini
  • 1 can whole tomatoes
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: jalapeno pepper, chopped

Cook the lentils, ginger, garlic and carrots in water until the lentils are tender (two hours in my crockpot). Add zucchini and salt (add jalapeno pepper, if using one). When zucchini are almost tender, add the canned tomatoes.
Lentil soup with tomatoes

Robin says

THAT'S what I want for dinner - lentils! Perfect!

Thanks Leora :).

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leoraw says

I just sprinkled some flax seeds on my lentils; that was a tasty variation.

Wish I liked split peas as much as I like lentils.

Robin, glad I could be of help with dinner planning.

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Ilana-Davita says

Yummy! I tried to make lentils with rice yesterday evening but the result was very soggy.

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leoraw says

Ilana-Davita, lentils and rice sounds good, a Sephardi kind of dish. You probably just need to play with the amount of liquid. Here's an online recipe I found, which calls for either brown or white rice:
http://www.recipezaar.com/Mujadrah-Lentils-and-Rice-141796

Good luck mastering this! I don't think I'd attempt it; my children might eat plain rice, but not lentils with rice. My daughter actually ate the lentil soup with tomatoes version.

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Michelle says

I love lentils, but hubby doesn't...

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sealaura says

I'm not much of a cook but these recipes sound tasty for autumn. However it is still in the 90s here in cali so I must wait a bit before I can try these soups. Thanks for the ideas.

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leoraw says

Michelle, these are so easy to make I often make them for myself.

sealaura, glad I can inspire you for when you get cooler weather.

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Ann Duncan says

Mmmm...we love lentils! Simple lentil soups and fancy ones, as well.

I have a lentil curry simmering on the stove now, added finely chopped onion and tomatoes, mashed garlic and ginger, cumin seeds browned in ghee, curry spices. Hope it tastes as yummy as it smells!

These recipes sound wonderful, thank you :)

Blessings...

Reply

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