Best 3 Best Lentil Recipes

Welcome to the world of lentils, a nutritious and delectable legume that has been enjoyed for centuries. In this comprehensive guide, we embark on a culinary journey, presenting you with the ultimate lentil recipes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a novice cook, we have something for everyone, offering a diverse selection of lentil dishes that cater to various dietary preferences and skill levels. Prepare to be amazed as we explore the hidden culinary treasures of this humble ingredient and transform it into mouthwatering meals that will leave you craving for more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

THE BEST LENTIL SOUP

The Best Lentil Soup image

Brown lentils are the star of this dish. To boost flavor, we used a classic mirepoix-onion, celery and carrot - as well as thyme, bay and oregano for an herby finish. We found the fresh lemon juice and parsley at the end brightened up the soup and added a nice pop of color.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories main-dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 medium carrots, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 medium onion, diced
1 large celery stalk (about 2 ounces), cut into 1/4-inch pieces
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups dried brown lentils
4 cups vegetable stock
7 sprigs thyme, leaves stripped (about 1 teaspoon leaves)
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus the juice of 1/2 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, plus more for garnish, roughly chopped

Steps:

Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrot, onion, celery and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are starting to caramelize and take on a dark brown color, 8 to 10 minutes (this step is important as it will add tons of flavor to your soup!).
Stir in the tomato paste and garlic and cook, scraping up the brown bits, until the garlic is fragrant and slightly softened, 1 to 2 minutes. Add in the lentils, stock, 4 cups water, thyme, bay leaf, oregano, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, 2 teaspoons salt and a generous amount of black pepper and stir to combine. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook until the lentils are softened with just a bit of bite, 25 to 30 minutes.
Remove the bay leaf. Puree 2 1/2 cups of the soup in a blender until smooth then stir back into the pot. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Ladle into bowls and garnish with more parsley.

THE BEST LENTIL SALAD, EVER

The Best Lentil Salad, Ever image

This recipe was created by Sarah Britton and posted on the My New Roots blog. She calls it the best lentil salad ever, and I have to agree. I serve this over a small bed of baby arugula, and top the salad with some crumbled goat cheese for a healthy, tasty meatless meal. Other optional add-ins mentioned by Sarah are walnuts, fresh herbs & sprouts.

Provided by rpgaymer

Categories One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

8 ounces dry lentils
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 tablespoon stone ground mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup raisins or 1/2 cup dried currant
3 tablespoons capers, drained

Steps:

Rinse lentils well, drain. Place in a pot and cover with a 3-4 inches of water, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Check lentils for doneness after 10 minutes, but they should take about 15 minutes in total. You will know they are cooked if they still retain a slight tooth - al dente! (Overcooking the lentils is the death of this dish) Drain & rinse the lentils under cold water and set aside.
In a small bowl, make the dressing by whisking together the olive, vinegar, maple syrup, mustard and all the spices (salt through cinnamon).
In a large serving bowl, gently combine the lentils and dressing. Add the onions, cranberries and capers and stir to combine well. If using other add-ins such as herbs, greens, or cheese, wait to add until just before serving. Otherwise, this salad can hang out in the fridge for as long as a couple days!

BEST EVER LENTIL SOUP

Best Ever Lentil Soup image

This has to be the easist and best lentil soup I've had. I just love it. I got this recipe from a friend.

Provided by mandikaake

Categories Lentil

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 cups red lentils, washed
8 cups water or 8 cups broth
1 large onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 carrot, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 lemon, juice of
3 tablespoons Knorr chicken bouillon

Steps:

Put water and lentils in large pot. Bring to boil and then simmer for 20 minutes stirring occasionally, till lentils are tender.
When this is almost done, saute onion, garlic and carrot till onion is slightly golden. Add this to the soup after it has simmered for 20 minutes Also add the spices and boullion and simmer for 5 minutes.
Take off heat and add the lemon juice.
Stir and serve.
We love to eat this with pita bread and have dates for dessert. The perfect meal!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 288, Fat 6.4, SaturatedFat 1, Cholesterol 0.4, Sodium 576.9, Carbohydrate 43.1, Fiber 7.7, Sugar 2.3, Protein 16.9

Tips:

Soaking lentils: Soaking lentils before cooking is an optional step, but it can help to reduce cooking time and make them more digestible. If you choose to soak your lentils, rinse them first and then cover them with water in a bowl or container. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
Rinsing lentils: Always rinse lentils before cooking to remove any dirt or debris.
Use vegetable broth: Using vegetable broth instead of water when cooking lentils adds more flavor to the dish.
Add spices: Lentils are a blank canvas for spices, so feel free to experiment with different flavors. Some popular spices to add to lentils include cumin, coriander, turmeric, garam masala, and chili powder.
Cook lentils until tender: Lentils are done cooking when they are tender but still hold their shape. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of lentils you are using, so be sure to check the package directions.
Don't overcook lentils: Overcooked lentils can become mushy and lose their flavor.
Add salt at the end of cooking: Salting lentils too early can make them tough.
Use lentils in a variety of dishes: Lentils are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, salads, and curries.

Conclusion:

Lentils are a nutritious and delicious legume that can be used in a variety of dishes. They are a good source of protein, fiber, and iron. Lentils are also a good source of antioxidants, which can help to protect your cells from damage. With so many health benefits, lentils are a great addition to any healthy diet. So next time you're looking for a healthy and affordable meal, reach for a bowl of lentils.