Lentil recipes needed (NOT soup/ no meat)

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Replies

  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    My only recipe is both a soup and meatless lol. I have been thinking of adding chicken to it.
  • Lizzy622
    Lizzy622 Posts: 3,705 Member
    knh1942 wrote: »
    About the gas: ginger and turmeric together control the gas. About a teaspoon of each. Another solution: fennel seeds, ground or whole. Fennel controls appetite too. Good for weight maintenance!

    This is why an Indian dahl or congee are good since most recipes include both ginger and turmeric.
  • grinning_chick
    grinning_chick Posts: 765 Member
    edited August 2016
    Cook's Illustrated Ultimate Veggie Burger

    ¾ cup dried brown lentils, rinsed and picked over
    2½ teaspoons table salt
    ¾ cup bulgur
    2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    2 medium onions, chopped fine (2 cups)
    1 rib celery (large), chopped fine (about ½ cup)
    1 small leek, white and light green parts only, chopped fine (about ½ cup)
    2 medium cloves garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (2 teaspoons)
    1 pound cremini mushrooms (or white), cleaned and sliced about ¼ inch thick (about 6 ½ cups)
    1 cup raw unsalted cashew
    ⅓ cup mayonnaise
    2c ups panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
    Ground black pepper
    12 burger buns for serving

    WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

    Because we found that veggie burger recipes made with soy-based products produced bland, sour, or gummy patties, we turned to lentils and bulgur, which, when combined, fully resolved the texture problem. To replace the meatlike taste in our veggie burger recipe, we turned to food rich in umami—specifically, cremini mushrooms and cashews.

    MAKES TWELVE 4-INCH BURGERS

    Canned lentils can be used, though some flavor will be sacrificed. Use a 15-ounce can, drain the lentils in a mesh strainer, and thoroughly rinse under cold running water before spreading them on paper towels and drying them, as directed in step 1 below. If you cannot find panko, use 1 cup of plain bread crumbs. For tips on freezing uncooked patties, see below.

    1. Bring 3 cups water, lentils, and 1 teaspoon salt to boil in medium saucepan over high heat; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until lentils are just beginning to fall apart, about 25 minutes. Drain in fine-mesh strainer. Line baking sheet with triple layer paper towels and spread drained lentils over. Gently pat lentils dry with additional paper towels; cool lentils to room temperature.

    2. While lentils simmer, bring 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to boil in small saucepan. Stir bulgur wheat into boiling water and cover immediately; let stand off heat until water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain in fine-mesh strainer; use rubber spatula to press out excess moisture. Transfer bulgur to medium bowl and set aside.

    3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions, celery, leek, and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to brown, about 10 minutes. Spread vegetable mixture on second baking sheet to cool; set aside. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to now-empty skillet; heat over high heat until shimmering. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 12 minutes. Spread mushrooms on baking sheet with vegetable mixture; cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.

    4. Process cashews in food processor until finely chopped, about fifteen 1-second pulses (do not wash food processor blade or bowl); stir into bowl with bulgur along with cooled lentils, vegetable-mushroom mixture, and mayonnaise. Transfer half of mixture to now-empty food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped, fifteen to twenty 1-second pulses; mixture should be cohesive but roughly textured. Transfer processed mixture to large bowl; repeat with remaining unprocessed mixture and combine with first batch. Stir in panko, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Line baking sheet with paper towels. Divide mixture into 12 portions, about 1/2 cup each, shaping each into tightly packed patty, 4 inches in diameter and 1/2 inch thick; set patties on baking sheet; paper towels will absorb excess moisture. (Patties can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated up to 3 days.)

    TO COOK ON THE GRILL: Build medium-hot charcoal fire or preheat gas grill on high. Using tongs, wipe grate with wad of paper towels dipped lightly in vegetable oil. Grill burgers, without moving them, until well browned, about 5 minutes; flip burgers and continue cooking until well browned on second side, about 5 minutes. Serve.

    TO COOK ON THE STOVETOP: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering; cook burgers, 4 at a time, until well browned, about 4 minutes per side, lowering heat to medium if browning too quickly. Repeat with additional oil and burgers. Serve. (Cooked burgers can be kept warm in 250-degree oven for up to 30 minutes.)

    TO FREEZE: With freezing and defrosting, the patties increase in moisture content; it is therefore necessary to add more bread crumbs before freezing. For each burger to be frozen, add 1 teaspoon panko or 1/2 teaspoon plain bread crumbs to the mixture before shaping. Thaw frozen patties overnight in the refrigerator on a triple layer of paper towels covered loosely with plastic wrap. Before cooking, pat the patties dry with paper towels and reshape to make sure they are tightly packed and cohesive.

    Secrets to Better Veggie Burgers
    1. Spread lentils between layers of paper towels and blot dry.
    2. Once softened, drain bulgur in sieve and press with spatula.
    3. Sauté mushrooms and vegetables until caramelized and dry.
  • grinning_chick
    grinning_chick Posts: 765 Member
    Cook's Illustrated Lentil Salad with Olives, Mint, and Feta

    1 cup lentils, picked over and rinsed
    Salt and pepper
    6 cups water
    2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
    5 garlic cloves, lightly crushed and peeled
    1 bay leaf
    5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
    ½ cup coarsely chopped pitted kalamata olives
    ½ cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
    1 large shallot, minced
    1 ounce feta cheese, crumbled (¼ cup)

    WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

    The most important step in making a lentil salad is perfecting the cooking of the lentils so they maintain their shape and firm-tender bite. There turns out to be two key steps. The first is to brine the lentils in warm salt water. With brining, the lentil’s skin softens, which leads to fewer blowouts. The second step is to cook the lentils in the oven, which heats them gently and uniformly. Once we had perfectly cooked lentils, all we had left to do was to pair the earthy beans with a tart vinaigrette and boldly flavored mix-ins.

    SERVES 4 TO 6

    French green lentils, or Lentilles du Puy, are our preferred choice for this recipe, but it works with any type of lentil except red or yellow. Brining helps keep the lentils intact, but if you don't have time, they'll still taste good. The salad can be served warm or at room temperature.

    1. Place lentils and 1 teaspoon salt in bowl. Cover with 4 cups warm water (about 110 degrees) and soak for 1 hour. Drain well. (Drained lentils can be refrigerated for up to 2 days before cooking.)

    2. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 325 degrees. Place drained lentils, 2 cups water, broth, garlic, bay leaf, and ½ teaspoon salt in medium saucepan. Cover and bake until lentils are tender but remain intact, 40 to 60 minutes. Mean-while, whisk oil and vinegar together in large bowl.

    3. Drain lentils well; remove and discard garlic and bay leaf. Add drained lentils, olives, mint, and shallot to dressing and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to serving dish, sprinkle with feta, and serve.
  • bebeisfit
    bebeisfit Posts: 951 Member
    This is the most awesome thread ever!! Here's my go-to red lentil soup. Yes it's a soup - but let's call it a curry or dal. All the ingredients can be modified, lots of optional add ins too.

    Saute a chopped medium onion, some grated ginger (1-2T), a hot pepper or two minced in a mixture of olive oil and butter. Once nice and soft, add a clove or 2 of minced garlic, 1-2 Tbl of tomato paste (optional), and either a spice blend like Bereber (Ethiopian), or a mixture of red curry paste, fenugreek seeds (optional), garam masala, cumin etc. Cook that up for a few minutes. You can also small dice a sweet potato or carrot or add already cooked potato later.

    Either cook lentils (rinse first) in water separately , or add to onion mixture, cover with water and simmer about 30 minutes. Add in a half can or more of diced tomatoes & 1/2 can- full can of coconut milk. Chick peas would work as an add in or some sauteed greens would be lovely. top with chopped cilantro if you have it.

    So much better the 2nd day! Freezes well too! Great plain or over rice.
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    VeryKatie wrote: »
    My only recipe is both a soup and meatless lol. I have been thinking of adding chicken to it.

    @verykatie this one is so good!
    http://www.skinnytaste.com/lentil-and-chicken-soup-3-pts/
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    edited August 2016
    hands down my FAVORITE lentil recipe:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DjZkfY21GE

    I know it says "soup", but really its a thick hearty stew with pasta. I add carrots, some cumin and tony chacherre's to this recipe to spice it up a little bit more how i like things. I add a lil dab of butter and some parmesan on top when it's ready to serve.
  • DrowningInAbyss
    DrowningInAbyss Posts: 9 Member
    Try making stirfrys, or add to quinoa/rice and season to your preference
  • Meranda29
    Meranda29 Posts: 27 Member
    What about like a Shepard pie with seasoned
    Lentils Instead of meat?
  • olymp1a
    olymp1a Posts: 1,766 Member
    Shaelynmae wrote: »
    It's a vegan lentil loaf, it is sooo good! We are actually having for dinner this week

    http://www.veganricha.com/recipe-pages/vegan-lentil-quinoa-loaf

    I have tried this one before and it is DELICIOUS!
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    shepherds pie subbing lentils for beef
    http://minimalistbaker.com/1-hour-vegan-shepherds-pie/
  • VeryKatie
    VeryKatie Posts: 5,961 Member
    edited August 2016
    @Queenmunchy thanks for the recipe, I will try it :) Did you ever try that one without the cilantro? I don't mind it but I rarely buy fresh herbs. I'm wondering if there's something else I could put in there.. maybe a little lemon juice instead.
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    @VeryKatie I've never made it without the cilantro (I always have it on hand), but I'm sure it will be fine without it. It's so flavorful!
  • cee134
    cee134 Posts: 33,711 Member
    Thanks everyone, there are some great ideas here. Please keep them coming. I saw lentil patties the other day that looked good as well.
  • Queenmunchy
    Queenmunchy Posts: 3,380 Member
    cee134 wrote: »
    Thanks everyone, there are some great ideas here. Please keep them coming. I saw lentil patties the other day that looked good as well.

    I put a link in the very first response (several), but one for lentil burgers - or patties. It's a great one!
  • Xenocrosser
    Xenocrosser Posts: 3 Member
    I like to saute my onions in olive oil first and then add it to a pot with the lentils and then sprinkle some garlic powder ontop. It taste delicious
  • beaglady
    beaglady Posts: 1,362 Member
    I really like them sprouted too. After sprouting, sauté with garlic and cumin.
  • vegan4lyfe2012
    vegan4lyfe2012 Posts: 1,237 Member
    edited August 2016
    This is my favorite lentil salad:

    2-2-1 Lentil Salad

    Vinaigrette:
    2 T. Balsamic Vinegar
    2 T. Dijon
    1 T. Agave
    ½ tsp Himalayan Pink Salt
    4 black pepper grinds

    Whisk everything together.

    Salad:
    2 cups cooked lentils, drained
    1 small onion, diced
    1 roma tomato, diced
    1 small bell pepper, diced
    1 cup packed spinach leaves, stems removed, chiffonade cut

    Stir everything together and enjoy!
  • vegan4lyfe2012
    vegan4lyfe2012 Posts: 1,237 Member
    edited August 2016