Healthy Lentil Dip For Cheapo Cooks On A Budget Food

25 MUST-TRY LENTIL RECIPES!

Steps:

• Place lentils, water and salt in a medium pot over high heat.
• Add any optional aromatics, and bring to a boil.
• Cover, lower heat and simmer gently until cooked through. The goal here is to get them tender, yet still hold their shape.
• Drain and use in other recipes.
• Cooked lentils will keep up to 4 days in the fridge, or can be frozen!
• Split lentils cook the fastest- check at 15 minutes! Small lentils take roughly 20 minutes, large brown lentils roughly 30-35 minutes. The smaller the lentils, the faster they cook, so just keep checking!

QUICK LENTIL CURRY (& MORE LENTIL RECIPES!)

Steps:

• Make the rice according to How to Cook Basmati Rice (or Instant Pot Rice).
• Place the lentils in a saucepan with 6 cups warm water. Bring to a low boil, then boil for about 20 minutes until tender (taste to assess doneness). Drain, then add a few pinches of salt.
• Meanwhile, wash the greens, remove the stems and chop the leaves. (If using prewashed baby spinach, you can skip this step.) In your largest skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the greens and sauté for several minutes until tender and bright green.
• When the lentils are done, add them to the skillet with the greens. Over medium high heat, stir in the coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, tomato paste, kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper. Cook for a few minutes until heated through and the sauce is thickened.
• Taste and add a few pinches of salt if desired. Serve with rice.

CURRY LENTIL DIP

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender, puree all the ingredients.
• Pour into a plastic container.

HEALTHY LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Cook until vegetables are just tender and browned in spots, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, oregano and cumin, then continue to cook until fragrant and brick-red in color, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, beans (and their liquid), lentils, bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of black pepper. Bring to a steady simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Partially cover with a lid and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the chili has thickened slightly, 35 to 45 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf and stir in the vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve with toppings as desired.

SPICY LENTIL DIP

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan combine the lentils, onion and water. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes or until lentils are soft. Pass lentils through a food mill or blend them in a blender.
• Toast curry powder and cumin seeds in a small skillet over medium heat until fragrant. Add cayenne, oil and garlic. Saute for 1 minute.
• Stir spice mixture into lentils and serve.

GREEN LENTIL DIP

Steps:

• Place all the ingredients together in a food blender and whizz up.
• Taste.
• Enjoy.

CURRIED LENTILS

Steps:

• Spread the lentils out on a baking sheet to make them easier to see. Pick out any stones or debris. Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a sauce pot, then add the lentils. Allow the pot to come back up to a boil, then turn the heat to low, place a lid on top, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Drain the cooked lentils in a colander.
• Meanwhile, mince the garlic and finely dice the onion and carrots. Sauté the onion, garlic, and carrots in a large skillet with olive oil over medium heat until the onions are transparent (about 5 minutes). Add the curry powder and sauté for one minute more.
• Add the cooked and drained lentils to the skillet, along with the tomato sauce. Stir and heat through (about 5 minutes). Turn the heat off, taste the lentils, and add salt if needed (I added about 1/2 tsp).
• Top with fresh cilantro and serve over a bed of rice, with naan, or crusty bread.