French Lentil Purée Food

MEDITERRANEAN LENTIL PURéE

Steps:

• Combine 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and the garlic in a small frying pan or saucepan over medium heat. When the garlic begins to sizzle, add the spices. Stir together for about 30 seconds, then remove from the heat and set aside.
• Place the lentils in a medium saucepan, cover by 1 to 2 inches with water, add a bay leaf, and bring to a boil. Add salt to taste, reduce the heat and cook until tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Remove the bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt. Place a strainer over a bowl and drain the lentils. Transfer to a food processor fitted with the steel blade.
• Purée the lentils along with the garlic and spices. With the machine running add the additional olive oil. Thin out as desired with the broth from the lentils. The purée should be very smooth; if it is dry or pasty, add more yogurt, broth, or olive oil. Taste and adjust salt. If desired add a few drops of lemon juice. Transfer to a bowl and sprinkle the cilantro over the top if desired, or spread directly on croutons or pita triangles.

FRENCH LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, celery, carrots, and garlic; sauté until vegetables begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Add 4 cups broth, lentils, and tomatoes with juice and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes.
• Transfer 2 cups soup (mostly solids) to blender and puree until smooth. Return puree to soup in pan; thin soup with more broth by 1/4 cupfuls, if too thick. Season with salt, pepper, and a splash of vinegar, if desired. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with celery leaves.

WARM FRENCH LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saute pan, add the leek and carrots, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute and set aside.
• Meanwhile, place the lentils, 4 cups of water, the onion with the cloves, and the turnip in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are almost tender. Remove and discard the onion and turnip and drain the lentils. Place them in a medium bowl with the leek and carrots, and add the butter.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the 1/4 cup of olive oil, the mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add to the lentils, stir well, and allow the lentils to cool until just warm, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve. The longer the lentils sit, the more salt and pepper you'll want to add.

LENTIL RAGOUT - FRENCH PUY LENTIL SIDE DISH

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Sauté garlic, carrot and onion until softened - around 5 minutes.
• Cook off tomato paste: Add tomato paste, bay leaf and thyme. Cook 2 minutes.
• Add lentils, simmer 15 minutes: Add lentils, stock, salt and pepper. Stir, bring to simmer, then lower heat and simmer without a lid for 15 minutes until the lentils are soft (don't let them overcook so they become mushy!).
• Season: Stir through parsley. Taste and add more salt or pepper if needed. Serve!

FRENCH LENTIL PURéE

Steps:

• Put the washed lentils into the cold water.
• Add carrot and chopped onion.
• Bring it to boil, and then cook on a low heat, until the lentil is soft (about 2 hours).
• During the cooking, after about 1 1/2 hour add parsley, celery and garlic.
• Now, drain the vegetables and puree them together in a food processor.
• Blend until smooth, add salt, pepper, and butter, mix it well.
• Serve it immediately.

RED LENTIL PUREE

Steps:

• Bring water, lentils and thyme to boil.
• Reduce heat to low and cook for 10-15 minutes until lentils are soft and water is absorbed (for cooking time: refer also to package directions).
• Remove Thyme Sprigs and mash Lentils.
• Add salt, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and pepper to taste. Mix well.
• Serve warm or cold. Decorate with black olives, capers, cherry tomatoes and onion rings.
• NOTE: Mirj suggested to add some lemon zest to the lentil puree. Thank you Mirj, I think this is a great idea to support a fresh note.