Orecchiette With Lentils Mint And Feta Recipes

ORECCHIETTE WITH LENTILS, ONIONS, AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then stir in onions, garlic, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Reduce heat to moderately low and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until onions are very tender and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
• While onions cook, cover lentils with water by 1 inch in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart saucepan and boil over moderate heat, covered, until lentils are just tender and most of water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and let stand, covered, until ready to use.
• Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander and return pasta to pot.
• Add onions, lentils, and spinach to pasta, then toss with just enough reserved cooking water to wilt spinach and moisten pasta. Add cheese and salt and pepper to taste, tossing to combine.

ORECCHIETTE WITH LENTILS, MINT AND FETA

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of salted water to boil, add the beans and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove beans with slotted spoon and refresh with cold water.
• Cook the orecheiette till al dente, drain and set aside.
• To lentils and pasta, onion, balsamic, oil and herbs toss till combined, season with salt and pepper.
• Top with crumbled feta.

LENTIL SALAD WITH MINT AND FETA

Steps:

• Place lentils in heavy large saucepan. Cover lentils with 4 inches of water. Season water with salt. Boil until lentils are just tender, about 25 minutes. Drain. Cool slightly.
• Combine oil, vinegar, mint and garlic in large bowl. Add warm lentils; toss well. Refrigerate until well chilled. (Lentils can be prepared 1 day ahead.)
• Add tomatoes, bell pepper and green onions to lentils. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide salad among plates. Sprinkle feta over lentils.

LENTIL-AND-MINT SALAD

Steps:

• Place lentils in a medium saucepan and cover with tepid water. Set aside to soak for 30 minutes. Drain the lentils and return them to the saucepan. Add the yellow onion, thyme, garlic and bay leaf. Cover the lentils by 2 inches with cold water and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the lentils are tender but not mushy, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the lentils from the heat. Discard the onion, thyme, garlic and bay leaf and drain the lentils. Place them in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, salt and cumin and pour over the lentils. Add the red onion and bell pepper and toss. Stir in the mint just before serving. Serve warm or cold with roasted lamb, beef or poultry.