Lentil Croquettes With Watercress And Kefir Food

LENTILS WITH WATERCRESS

Steps:

• Cook 1 cup dried green lentils as the label directs, adding 2 garlic cloves to the water; drain and discard the garlic. Toss with 1 bunch chopped watercress, 2 sliced scallions and 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil; toss.

LENTIL CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions, carrots, celery, peppers and garlic. Reduce the heat and cook until the vegetables have softened. Add 7 cups water, raise the heat and bring to a boil. Add the lentils and some salt, reduce to medium-low heat and cook until tender, about 20 minutes.
• Drain the lentils well and set aside for 30 minutes to cool. Meanwhile, heat oil in a deep-fryer or a heavy, deep pot to 350 degrees F.
• To assemble the croquettes: Form the lentils into balls and set aside. Beat the egg in a small bowl. In a medium bowl, combine some flour, breadcrumbs and a little chili powder. Dip the lentil balls in the egg and then in the flour mixture. Lower the croquettes into the oil and cook until brown on all sides, about 4 minutes.
• To serve, place 4 1/2 tablespoons of the guacamole in the center of the plate, followed by 4 1/2 teaspoons of the Tzatziki. Place the croquettes atop the sauce and garnish with the cilantro.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Drizzle the beets with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast for about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mix the yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, vinegar and garlic in a medium bowl.
• Remove the beets from the oven, let cool for 10 minutes and then remove the skins. Add the beets and the yogurt mixture to a blender; blend until smooth and creamy.
• Scoop the avocado flesh into a low serving bowl and mash with a fork. Add the olive oil, lime juice, jalapeño and some cilantro; stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

LENTIL CROQUETTES

Steps:

• Place the first 10 ingredients in a large pan and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer slowly, about 30 minutes until all the liquid has been absorbed (stir occasionally).
• Note that the above steps can also be done in a pressure cooker if you have one - it's much faster.
• Remove the mixture from heat and cool slightly.
• Now beat in the egg and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Let the mixture cool completely (I find that the mixture holds its shape better if it has been refrigerated for a couple of hours).
• Combine the flour, turmeric and chili powder in a small plate.
• Once lentils are cool, shape the mixture into circles.
• Roll the croquettes in the above spiced flour mixture to coat well.
• Heat oil in a skillet and cook the croquettes in batches, turning once until crisp and brown on both sides.
• Serve immediately with chutney or a crisp salad.
• Note - it's important for the liquid to be fully absorbed in the lentil mixture so that it can bind well with the help of the egg.

LENTIL CROQUETTES

Steps:

• 1. Combine the lentils, water, and bay leaves in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer, and cook, half-covered, until tender, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool, then drain off any excess liquid and set aside.
• 2. When ready to complete the croquette batter, combine the lentils with all the other batter ingredients in a food processor. Buzz until the garlic is pureed and a soft, somewhat goopy paste is formed. Let the batter rest, covered and refrigerated, for at least 4 hours, or up to 2 days.
• 3. When ready to bake the croquettes, preheat the oven to 400°F. Set up a breading station: Combine the breadcrumbs and cornflake crumbs in a bowl. In a second bowl, make a seasoned flour by combining the flour, nutritional yeast, paprika, sage, salt and black pepper, thyme, and olive oil and tossing together well. In a third bowl, beat the egg, if using, with a tablespoon of water. Place the bowl of croquette mixture next to all this, along with a nonstick baking sheet or one that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
• 4. Using 2 large spoons, form a slightly flattened fat oval 3 to 4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. Drop it into the seasoned flour. Sprinkle the top of the oval of batter with more flour and lift it out of the flour with your fingers. Dip the batter oval into the egg, which will coat it, though it will resist in spots. Drop the egg-coated ball into the crumbs, and, with your fingers, roll it around. When coated with this second jacket of crumbs, place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the batter.
• 5. Spray the crumbed croquettes very lightly with olive oil (if you have some in a spray bottle) or cooking spray. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turn very gently using a thin-bladed spatula, and bake for another 10 to 12 minutes. The crumb coating should be crisping up nicely; if it's not, run the croquettes under the broiler for a few moments.
• 6. Serve hot, as soon as possible, with a sauce such as Mushroom-Miso-Mustard Gravy . Leftovers can be served in buns, with all the fixings.