Creamy French Lentils With Celery Root And Garlic Food

FRENCH LENTILS WITH CARAMELIZED CELERY ROOT AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Bring water and lentils to a boil in amedium saucepan. Reduce heat, and gentlysimmer, partially covered, until lentils arejust tender, 27 to 30 minutes. Drain lentils,and transfer to a medium bowl.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon oil in a mediumnonstick high-sided skillet over mediumheat. Cook celery root, stirring occasionally,until caramelized, 18 to 20 minutes.
• Add celery root to bowl with lentils. Stirin parsley, lemon juice, shallot, 1 teaspoonsalt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and remaining tablespoon oil. Let cool. Divide among 4 bowls.

BRAISED CELERY WITH LENTILS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Heat ¼ cup oil in a large high-sided skillet over medium-high. Add celery and toss to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until celery is very lightly browned, about 5 minutes, then add garlic and toss to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until garlic is deep golden brown and celery is tender and golden brown, 5-7 minutes. Mix in 1 tsp. kosher salt, then add wine and herbs (if using) and stir to combine. Cook until wine is reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil; stir in lentils. Cook until lentils are warmed through and flavors have come together, about 5 minutes. Taste and season with more kosher salt if needed. Fish out herb sprigs if using and discard.
• Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium. Crack eggs into skillet and cover with a lid (or a baking sheet if you don't have one), reduce heat to low, and cook just until egg whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes.
• Divide braised celery mixture among bowls. Top each with an egg and some celery leaves; sprinkle with sea salt and pepper. Serve with crusty bread, if desired.

ONE-POT CREAMY SPINACH LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat the bacon grease (that's what I used) over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, and celery. Saute for 10 minutes until the vegetables are nice and roasty and fragrant. Add the wine slowly - it should give a little sizzle and get all the browned bits off the bottom.
• Add the lentils, potatoes, and broth. Tie the bay leaf, parsley, and thyme together and toss in the pot (the reason for tying is so you can easily remove them at the end - I actually wrapped mine up in a stalk of celery so it would be contained a bit better). Simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, adding more broth as necessary so the lentils are just barely covered in liquid. When the lentils and potatoes are soft, gently mash the potatoes against the side of the pot with the back of the wooden spoon to make the mixture creamy.
• Remove the tied herbs; add the half and half and spinach. Stir to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper (season, taste, adjust, repeat). Serve each serving with a drizzle of good olive oil and a splash of red wine vinegar, per Jamie Oliver's (and my) recommendation.

CREAMY FRENCH LENTILS WITH CELERY ROOT AND GARLIC

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the stock, soy milk, lentils, celery root, garlic, bay leaves, and pepper.
• Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, and cook 35-40 minutes, until the lentils are tender and the mixture is moderately thick. Remove bay leaves.
• Puree the beans slightly with an immersion blender or transfer half of the mixture to a blender jar and puree, then return it to the pan. Stir in the salt and parsley and serve hot.

LENTIL AND CELERY ROOT SALAD

Steps:

• Cook celery root in pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 45 minutes. Drain, cool and peel. Cut enough of root into 1/4-inch cubes to yield 1 1/2 cups.
• Cook lentils in pot of boiling salted water until just tender but still firm to bite, about 20 minutes. Drain; cool.
• Whisk oil, vinegar, garlic, rosemary and nutmeg to blend in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper; add cheese.
• Mix celery root, lentils and dressing in bowl. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Toss occasionally.)