Lentil And Spinach Salad With Onion Cumin And Garlic Recipes

LENTIL AND SPINACH SALAD WITH ONION, CUMIN AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils and place them in a large saucepan and add plenty of water to cover; tie the bay leaf, celery and thyme into a bundle and add to the pan, then bring to the boil; reduce the heat so that the water boils steadily; cook the lentils for 30-40 minutes or until they are just tender. DO NOT ADD SALT at this stage, as it toughens the lentils.
• Meanwhile, to make the dessing, mix the oil, mustard, 3 teaspoons vinegar, garlic and lemon rind, and season to taste with pepper and salt.
• Thoroughly drain the lentils and transfer them to a bowl, add most of the dressing and toss until all the ingredients are well-combined, then set aside, stirring occasionally.
• Heat the oil in a deep pan and cook the onions or shallots over a low heat for 4-5 minutes, until they are beginning to soften. Add the cumin and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the spinach and season to taste, cover and cook for 2 minutes; stir, then cook again briefly until wilted.
• Stir the spinach into the lentils and leave the salad to cool. Bring back to room temperature if necessary. Stir in the remaining dressing and chopped parsley, adjust the seasoning, adding extra wine vinegar if necessary.
• Transfer the salad to a serving platter and scatter over some parsley sprigs.
• Chef's Note: Puy lentils are named after a town in France. They are considered to have the best and most distinctive flavour and they keep both their shape and colour well when cooked, making them ideal for salads.

GREEN LENTILS WITH GARLIC & ONION (MADHUR JAFFREY)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy pot over a medium flame. When hot, put in the cumin seeds. A few seconds later, put in the garlic. Stir and fry until the garlic pieces turn a medium brown colour. Now put in the onion. Stir and fry until the onion pieces begin to turn brown at the edges. Put in the lentils and the water. Bring to the boil. Cover, turn heat to low and simmer for about an hour or until lentils are tender. (Nearly all of the liquid should have been absorbed, but watch that it doesn't turn completely solid.)
• Add the salt and the cayenne. Stir to mix and simmer gently for another 5 minutes.

BABY SPINACH AND LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Sort and wash lentils, place in a pan with bay leaf, cinnamon stick and stock.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until tender; drain, discarding the bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
• While the lentils are cooking, place the minced garlic and onion in a small skillet adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of the lentil cooking liquid; cook the onions and garlic until soft and lightly browned.
• Place the lentils in a large bowl adding the olives through parsley; stir in cooked onion and garlic.
• Combine the fennel seeds, oregano and red pepper flakes, crushing to release the flavors; add to the lentil mixture.
• Drizzle with the lemon juice and olive oil.
• Add feta cheese and mix to combine, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Chill for several hours before serving.
• Divide the salad greens among chilled plates and top with lentil salad mixiture.

LENTILS WITH ONION AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat oil in medium saute pan or saucepan over medium-high heat. Fry onion until crisp and reddish-brown, about 10 minutes, then drain on paper towels.
• Put garlic and chile in saucepan and fry for 20 seconds or until just beginning to brown. Add lentils and water. Partially cover and cook for 30-35 minutes, or until lentils are soft.
• Serve lentils with onions on top.
• Note: I used 6 cloves of garlic and 2 chiles, and it still wasn't hot enough for my tastes.