Black Beluga Lentil Pilaf Food

HOW TO COOK LENTILS

Steps:

• 1. Rinse lentils well under warm water using a mesh strainer. I will tell you from experience that, due to their small size, lentils will fall right through a regular colander, so invest in a mesh sieve like the one I used linked here. You'll find that they handy with rinsing rice, quinoa, and many other grains as well. 2. Make sure to pick out any peoples or other debris. 3. Place the lentils in a stockpot and add 2 cups of water or vegetable broth for every 1 cup of lentils. You can add more liquid as they are cooking if they begin to look too dry. 4. Bring the pot to a boil then reduce the heat to simmer. Cover and allow to cook 20-25 minutes (brown, green, and black lentils), stirring occasionally. 5. Add liquid if necessary and continue cooking until the lentils are tender but not mushy. 6. Remove from heat and serve immediately.

BLACK BELUGA LENTIL PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large wide saucepan on medium heat.
• Add the onion, cumin seeds and rice and cook; about 8-10 minutes.
• Add the garlic; stirring for 1 minute longer.
• Pour in the broth and bring to a boil. Add salt to taste. Stir mixture, cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for about 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• Remove lid and stir in the lentils and the currants with the rice.
• Sprinkle with black pepper; garnish with parsley and lemon slices.
• Note: Serves four as a side dish or serves two as a main dish.

BRAISED BLACK LENTILS

Steps:

• Melt butter in olive oil over medium heat in a saucepan. Cook and stir onion, carrot, celery, and salt until vegetables are softened and onion is translucent, about 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and add thyme sprigs and pepper. Stir in lentils until well coated. Add chicken stock and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and cook, checking occasionally, until the lentils are tender and have absorbed all the liquid, about 35 minutes. Remove from heat and discard thyme stems. Stir in champagne vinegar and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

BELUGA BLACK LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse lentils under cold water and remove any small pebbles; drain. In a 4-quart pot over medium heat, add butter. When melted, add lentils and stir until well coated. Add curry powder, cayenne pepper and freshly ground black pepper; stir to combine. Pour in broth and partially cover; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook until lentils are tender about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer into a mixing bowl; cool to room temperature.
• .
• Meanwhile, make vinaigrette by whisking pomegranate molasses, olive oil and fresh squeezed lemon juice together; set aside.
• Add red pepper, tomatoes, green onions and avocado to the salad; gently toss to blend. Pour in vinaigrette and toss to coat. Either leave it at room temperature or chill for 1 hour. Just before serving, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Makes 6 servings.

CHEF JOHN'S BLACK LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook and stir bacon in hot oil until bacon is browned and crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onion, carrot, celery, and salt; cook and stir until onion is softened and translucent, about 10 minutes. Season with black pepper, cumin, thyme, and cayenne pepper.
• Pour lentils into bacon mixture and stir to coat completely in rendered bacon fat. Add chicken broth and bay leaf; bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook, adding more chicken broth as needed, until lentils are tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Season with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste. Add 3 tablespoons parsley and stir. Ladle soup into bowls, sprinkle remaining parsley over the top and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil.