20 Lentil Recipes to Diversify Your Menu
Source: M.studio, AdobeStockFor several millennia, lentil recipes have traveled all over the world. They came to us from Eastern regions. Several varieties are used in cooking, with red and green being the most popular. The difference is that red lentils cook a little faster and don't even need soaking, but their taste doesn't differ much. So, choose for yourself!
1. Lentils with Onions
Source: povar.ruThe simplest way to prepare a versatile lentil side dish for any occasion.
You will need: 1 cup lentils, 2 cups water, 2 onions, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, spices.
Preparation: Cover lentils with water, bring to a boil, and simmer over low heat until tender, about half an hour. Slice onions into half-rings and sauté in vegetable oil until golden. Add the lentils, season, and simmer for another 5 minutes.
2. Lentil Falafel
Source: yandex.uaFalafel is made from various legumes – chickpeas, peas, or lentils. Today, we'll focus on the latter option.
You will need: 200 g lentils, 1 onion, 1 clove garlic, spices, 0.5 tsp baking powder, 4 sprigs parsley, 1 pinch cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili pepper, breadcrumbs.
Preparation: Soak lentils in water overnight, then drain in the morning and pass them through a meat grinder. Mince the onion and garlic in the same way, add chopped herbs, baking powder, and all spices. Mix the mass, form falafel balls, roll them in breadcrumbs, and deep-fry in plenty of oil.
3. Lentil Patties
Source: kartinkin.netA versatile lean and vegetarian alternative to meat patties. You can add any vegetables or mushrooms to the mixture to taste.
You will need: 250 g lentils, 500 ml water, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 bunch herbs, 2 cloves garlic, 2 cm ginger, spices, semolina or flour.
Preparation: Boil lentils until cooked and mash them in any convenient way. Finely chop the onion, grate the carrot, sauté them together, and add to the lentil puree. Also add grated ginger with garlic, chopped herbs, and spices. Form patties, roll them in semolina or flour, and fry on both sides.
4. Lentils in Tomato Sauce
Source: themoscowtimes.comLentils pair perfectly with tangy tomatoes. We recommend adding a chopped sprig of thyme at the end.
You will need: 100 g lentils, 320 ml water, 2 cloves garlic, 125 g cherry tomatoes, 0.5 pureed tomatoes, 1 tsp sugar, 0.5 onion, spices.
Preparation: Chop garlic, sauté until golden, and add lentils. Pour in water and cook for about 20 minutes over medium heat. Separately sauté chopped onion until soft and add sliced cherry tomatoes. Simmer for 5 minutes, then add pureed tomatoes, sugar, and spices. Simmer the sauce for another 15 minutes and mix it with the cooked lentils.
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5. Lentil Puree
Source: zen.yandex.ruFor this recipe, we recommend using red lentils for a more pleasant puree color.
You will need: 200 g lentils, 40 ml cream, 20 g butter, spices.
Preparation: Boil lentils until soft and mash with a potato masher. Add warm cream and melted butter, then mix. Season the puree to taste.
6. Chicken Soup with Lentils
Source: vk.comLentils can even complement any familiar soup. They are added instead of grains or vermicelli.
You will need: 300 g chicken, 200 g lentils, 600 g potatoes, 150 g carrots, 150 g onions, 150 g bell peppers, 1 tbsp tomato paste, spices.
Preparation: Cover chicken with water and boil broth until cooked. Add rinsed lentils, and after 10 minutes, add diced potatoes. Continue cooking. Dice the remaining vegetables, sauté until soft, mix with tomato paste, and season. Add the sautéed vegetables to the soup and cook until all ingredients are tender.
7. Lentils with Vegetables
Source: zen.yandex.ruA very simple, yet very healthy lentil dish for every day for the whole family.
You will need: 1 cup lentils, 2 cups water, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 bell pepper, 70 g green peas, 70 g green beans, spices, 2 tbsp soy sauce.
Preparation: Cover lentils with water and boil until cooked. Roughly chop the vegetables and sauté the onion until soft. Add carrots and bell peppers, and after a couple more minutes, add peas and green beans. After another 3 minutes, add lentils, pour in soy sauce, season, and heat together for a couple of minutes.
8. Vegetable Soup with Lentils
Source: zen.yandex.ruAn amazing lean first course with minimal calories. Cook with water or vegetable broth.
You will need: 3 potatoes, 1 carrot, 0.5 cup lentils, 2 celery stalks, 1 leek, 1 onion, 0.5 bell pepper, 1 tomato, spices, herbs.
Preparation: Cover lentils with water, bring to a boil, and add finely diced potatoes and carrots. Cook everything together for 20 minutes. Roughly chop the remaining vegetables and lightly sauté. Add them to the pot and cook for another 10 minutes. Finally, add spices and herbs to the soup.
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9. Lentil and Vegetable Casserole
Source: pinterest.co.ukThe same unspoken rule applies: if you want a more uniform color for your dish, use red lentils.
You will need: 250 g lentils, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 carrot, 1 bell pepper, 1 celery stalk, 2 tomatoes, 2 eggs, 100 g cheese, spices.
Preparation: Boil lentils until soft and let cool. Finely chop the vegetables and sauté the onion until translucent. Add carrots with garlic, and after a couple of minutes, add celery and bell pepper. Fry everything together for another 5-7 minutes, and finally add the tomatoes.
Blend the lentils, mix with vegetables, season, and add eggs. Place the mixture into a baking dish, sprinkle with grated cheese, and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
10. Lentil and Bulgur Köfte
Source: foodtempel.deThis is a popular Turkish appetizer – something between regular patties and falafel.
You will need: 150 g lentils, 150 g bulgur, 600 ml water, 1 onion, 4 green onion stalks, 1.5 tbsp tomato paste, 4 sprigs mint, 0.5 bunch parsley, spices, lemon juice.
Preparation: Cover lentils with water and cook until almost done. When they are soft, add bulgur, mix, and cook for another 15-20 minutes. Separately sauté chopped onion, add tomato paste and all spices, and simmer for a couple of minutes.
Mix the sautéed vegetables with the cooked lentils and bulgur, drizzle with lemon juice, and add chopped herbs. Form small patties and serve.
11. Salad with Tomatoes and Lentils
Source: sladkiexroniki.ruFor this salad, it's best to cook the lentils in advance so they have time to cool.
You will need: 150 g lentils, 150 g feta, 1 tomato, 1 red onion, basil, lemon juice, olive oil.
Preparation: Cook the lentils, dice the feta, slice the tomato into wedges, and the onion into half-rings. Add chopped basil and dress the salad with lemon juice and olive oil.
12. Stewed Lentils with Vegetables and Cheese
Source: fi.pinterest.comFor this recipe, delicate Adyghe cheese is ideal, so we highly recommend it.
You will need: 120 g lentils, 240 g eggplants, 200 g zucchini, 220 g Adyghe cheese, 380 g tomatoes, spices, 400 ml water.
Preparation: Soak lentils for a couple of hours. Cut zucchini and eggplants into large cubes and sauté with spices. Add cheese cut into similar cubes and lentils, pour in hot water, and simmer for 30 minutes over low heat. Finely chop peeled tomatoes, add them to the pot, and simmer for another 15 minutes. Season to taste.
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13. Cream of Lentil Soup
Source: news.glavred.infoCream soups can safely be made not only from potatoes and other vegetables, but even from legumes.
You will need: 300 g lentils, 1.3 L broth, 2 carrots, 2 onions, 1 lemon, spices, sour cream, garlic.
Preparation: Finely chop onion and garlic, and sauté until golden. Add grated carrots, and fry for another couple of minutes. Add lentils, pour in broth, and cook until lentils are tender. Add garlic, spices, and sour cream to taste, then blend the mixture until smooth.
14. Salad with Chicken and Lentils
Source: eatthis.comFor this recipe, you'll need boiled or baked chicken fillet.
You will need: 0.5 cup lentils, 250 g chicken fillet, 200 g bryndza or feta, 1 cucumber, 1 tomato, 1 bell pepper, 1 red onion, spices, lemon juice, olive oil.
Preparation: Boil lentils and chicken until cooked. Dice all ingredients finely and season the salad. Drizzle with lemon juice and dress with olive oil.
15. Chicken with Lentils in a Multicooker
Source: botanichka.ruLentils are no more difficult to cook than any other grain, so naturally, they can also be prepared in a multicooker.
You will need: 1.5 cups lentils, 500 g chicken, 1 onion, 0.5 carrot, spices, 3 cups water.
Preparation: Sauté chicken pieces on both sides for 10 minutes using the frying program. Add chopped onion and carrot, and fry for another couple of minutes. Season, add lentils, and pour in water. Select the stewing program and set it for one hour.
16. Lentil and Pumpkin Casserole
Source: cheeseinfo.ruOptionally, you can add some chopped and fried ham or bacon.
You will need: 1 cup red lentils, 300 g pumpkin, 1 onion, 2 eggs, herbs, spices, garlic, chili pepper, 2 tbsp semolina, 30 g butter, 80 ml cream.
Preparation: Pour cream over semolina and let it sit for a while. Boil lentils until cooked. Finely chop onion and pumpkin, and sauté in butter until soft. Mix vegetables with lentils, blend until smooth, and add semolina. Add eggs, chopped herbs, chili, garlic, and spices. Place everything into a baking dish and bake in the oven for about 35-40 minutes at 190 degrees Celsius.
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17. Lentil Salad with Carrots
Source: donatewales.orgSuch a simple and budget-friendly, yet very delicious salad. You can add a sweet apple.
You will need: 200 g lentils, 0.5 red onion, 2 cloves garlic, 4 carrots, 0.5 bunch parsley, 1 tsp grated ginger, 1 tsp mustard, 2 tbsp wine vinegar, 6 tbsp olive oil, spices.
Preparation: Boil lentils until cooked with onion and garlic. Remove them, and let the lentils cool. Grate carrots on a coarse grater, chop parsley, and add ginger. Mix everything with lentils and season. For the dressing, mix olive oil, vinegar, and mustard.
18. Lentils with Meat in Pots
Source: receptle.ruFor this recipe, we recommend choosing pork – it will be softer.
You will need: 200 g lentils, 300 g meat, 1 carrot, 1 onion, 2 tbsp tomato sauce, 400 ml broth or water, spices.
Preparation: Finely chop onion, grate carrot, and cut meat into pieces. Sauté vegetables until soft, add meat, and fry for another 10 minutes. Add rinsed lentils and mix. Divide the mixture among pots, sprinkle with spices, add tomato sauce, and pour in broth or water. Cook in the oven for about 45 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius.
19. Lentils with Zucchini in the Oven
Source: totuldespremame.roNot only delicious and healthy, but also a very original casserole.
You will need: 1 zucchini, 1 red onion, 0.5 cup lentils, 1 egg, 100 ml cream, 70 g cheese, 1 carrot, 2 tbsp flour, spices, 0.5 bunch herbs, 2 cloves garlic.
Preparation: Finely chop onion and garlic and sauté until soft. Add grated carrot, and after a couple more minutes, add grated zucchini. Add cream and flour, and simmer the sauce until it thickens slightly. Boil lentils until cooked and puree them, grate cheese, and chop herbs. Mix all ingredients together, place in a baking dish, and bake in the oven for 35 minutes at 190 degrees Celsius.
20. Lentil and Egg Salad
Source: fotostrana.ruA double dose of protein, and thanks to the bacon slices, it's also very satisfying!
You will need: 5 tbsp lentils, 100 g bacon, 0.5 red onion, 2 eggs, 4 radishes, spices, mayonnaise, herbs.
Preparation: Boil lentils until cooked. Separately boil eggs and dice them. Fry bacon strips until crispy. Slice onion into half-rings, radish into thin slices, chop herbs, mix and season the salad, and dress it with mayonnaise.
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