Lentil Cakes With Feta Yogurt Sauce And Cucumber Cress Salad Food

LENTIL CAKES WITH FETA-YOGURT SAUCE AND CUCUMBER-CRESS SALAD

Steps:

• Cover lentils with 2 inches cold water. Soak 4 hours at room temperature or up to 1 day in refrigerator. Drain well. Pulse pale-green and white parts of scallions in a food processor until minced. Add harissa, turmeric, baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and egg and egg white; pulse to combine. Add lentils; puree until almost smooth. Transfer mixture to a bowl, and stir in a little more than half the feta.
• Whisk remaining feta, the yogurt, lemon juice, and garlic in a small bowl. Combine cucumber, cress, and mint in another bowl.
• Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place a scant tablespoon of scallion greens in pan, and spoon about an eighth of the batter on top, spreading to make a 3-inch cake. Repeat, making 4 cakes at a time. Cook until golden brown, flipping once, about 6 minutes. Add remaining teaspoon oil, and repeat.
• Divide sauce among 4 plates; top with salad. Place cakes next to greens, and serve.

LENTIL CAKES

Steps:

• Grease a 7-inch cake pan with vegetable oil. In a bowl, whisk the yogurt and the gram flour together to a smooth batter.
• In a food processor, blend the green chiles, ginger, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, and 2 tablespoons of the water to a smooth paste. Add the chile paste, turmeric, salt, and 1 teaspoon of the sugar to the batter, and stir until well combined. Loosen the batter if necessary with a teaspoon of water to return it to the consistency of heavy cream. Add the fruit salts, and stir well to combine, then set aside for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Fill the saucepan of an 8-inch double boiler with water and bring to a boil. (Alternatively, place a biscuit cutter of the same size or an upturned heatproof bowl into a large, heavy-based pan and pour enough water into the pan to reach halfway up the sides of the bowl. Cover the pan with a lid and bring the water to a boil.)
• Pour the batter into the greased cake pan and carefully lower it into the double boiler. Cover the pan with a lid and steam the cake over a medium heat for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the batter comes out clean.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and fry for 20 to 30 seconds, or until the mustard seeds start to pop. Be careful of the popping seeds and splatter of oil.
• When the mustard seeds have started to pop, add the sesame seeds and curry leaves and fry for another minute, or until the sesame seeds are golden brown. Discard the curry leaves.
• Add the remaining 4 tablespoons of water and the remaining teaspoon of sugar and boil for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture resembles syrup.
• To serve, turn out the lentil cake onto a serving plate. Pour the syrup evenly over the cake. Sprinkle over the fresh coriander and coconut.

LENTIL FETA SALAD

Steps:

• In small dry skillet, toast almonds over medium heat, stirring often, until golden, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add lentils and garlic; reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water; drain again. Discard garlic.
• In large bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper. Add lentils, cucumber, tomatoes, onion and parsley; toss to coat. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.).
• Stir in almonds and all but 1/4 cup (50 mL) of the feta; sprinkle with remaining feta.

LENTIL SALAD WITH FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• cook lentils according to directions on bag, until tender (but not mushy).
• remove from heat and let cool at room temperature.
• Chop up all the vegetables, and crumble the feta.
• Combine all the salad ingredients together.
• In a small bowl prepare dressing by whisking all the ingredients together.
• Pour dressing over salad, mix well and chill for a couple of hours before serving.