Lentils With Spinach Food

LENTILS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy pan over medium heat. Saute onion for 10 minutes or so, until it begins to turn golden. Add minced garlic and saute for another minute or so.
• Add lentils and water to the saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil. Cover, lower heat, and simmer about 35 minutes, until lentils are soft ( this may take less time, depending on your water and the lentils).
• Meanwhile cook the spinach in microwave according to package directions. Add spinach, salt and cumin to the saucepan. Cover and simmer until all is heated, about ten minutes. Grind in plenty of pepper and press in extra garlic to taste.

EASY SPINACH LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Place bacon in a large skillet or Dutch oven and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Stir in carrot, onion, and olive oil cooking until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Cover bacon mixture with chicken broth, water, and salsa; mix in lentils, bay leaf, cumin, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender, 40 to 50 minutes. Stir in spinach and potatoes; simmer until spinach is wilted and potatoes are cooked, 10 to 15 minutes longer.

SPINACH-AND-GARLIC LENTILS

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, tomato, 2 cloves of garlic, ginger, serrano chile, turmeric and 6 cups water in a large saucepan. Bring to a high simmer and cook, occasionally whisking vigorously, until the lentils are tender and begin to fall apart and the mixture is like a thin porridge, 15 to 18 minutes. Add the spinach to the pan in batches and stir until wilted. Add the lemon juice and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt. Remove from the heat.
• Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining clove of garlic and the cumin seeds and mustard seeds. Swirl until the garlic and is golden and fragrant, about 3 minutes.
• Pour the lentils into a large serving bowl and drizzle with the garlic butter. Serve hot.

SPINACH LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a pot, bring the rice and water to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.
• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, and cook the turkey kielbasa until lightly browned. Mix in onion and carrot, and season with red pepper. Cook and stir until tender. Pour in the water and broth, and mix in lentils. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 25 minutes.
• Stir the cooked rice and spinach into the soup, and continue cooking 5 minutes before serving.

HERBED LENTILS WITH SPINACH AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a pot with the water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes, until the lentils are tender but still retain their shape. Drain any excess water from the lentils and set them aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until they are softened, about 3 minutes. Add the spinach and cook until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, lentils, basil, parsley, and mint to the pan and stir to combine. Cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Stir in the lemon juice, salt and pepper and serve.
• Excellent source of: Protein, Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron,
• Good source of: Potassium

SPINACH CHANA DAL

Steps:

• Put the dal in a medium-sized pot with 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, skimming the foam that rises to the top. Once it boils, stir in the turmeric and cover partially, occasionally stirring. Cook for 75 minutes, being careful to check and stir a few times after 60 minutes. Stir in the salt when the dal is done.
• While the dal cooks, heat the ghee in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the mustard and cumin seeds. Stir for 30 seconds and then add the onion. Saute 5-6 minutes or until the onion starts to brown.
• Add the garlic, ginger, and green chili and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
• Add the spinach and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil and cover. Cook until the spinach wilts, around 8-10 minutes.
• When the dal is done cooking, add the spinach mixture to it and combine. If the dal feels too dry, stir in a bit of water to a consistency of your liking. Adjust salt to taste.

ORECCHIETTE WITH LENTILS, ONIONS, AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then stir in onions, garlic, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Reduce heat to moderately low and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until onions are very tender and golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
• While onions cook, cover lentils with water by 1 inch in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart saucepan and boil over moderate heat, covered, until lentils are just tender and most of water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and let stand, covered, until ready to use.
• Cook pasta in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain pasta in a colander and return pasta to pot.
• Add onions, lentils, and spinach to pasta, then toss with just enough reserved cooking water to wilt spinach and moisten pasta. Add cheese and salt and pepper to taste, tossing to combine.

CREAMY LENTILS WITH SPINACH AND THYME

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils really well in two changes of water, then leave to drain in a sieve.
• Heat 1 tsp oil in a large pan and fry the onion and carrot with a pinch of salt for 5 minutes, until soft, then add the garlic, half the thyme and the bay leaf. Fry for a minute then stir through the lentils.
• Add the veg stock, season, and simmer for 40-50 minutes until the lentils are tender and creamy. Top up with water if they start to stick to the bottom of the pan.
• Stir through the remaining thyme, spinach and coconut milk and simmer until the spinach wilts then season again if it needs it and stir through the lemon juice, to serve.

LENTIL STEW WITH SPINACH AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in heavy large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and stir 30 seconds. Add vegetable broth and lentils; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add potatoes; cook uncovered until potatoes and lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, grate 1/2 teaspoon peel from lemon; squeeze enough juice from lemon to measure 2 tablespoons. Add lemon peel, lemon juice, spinach and cayenne to stew. Cover and simmer stew until spinach wilts and is cooked through, about 2 minutes. Mix in mint. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over low heat before serving.)
• Spoon stew into large soup bowls. Sprinkle feta cheese over, if desired.

SIMPLE FRENCH LENTIL SALAD WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Combine the shallot, vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and black pepper to taste in a bowl. Let sit 5 minutes to dissolve the salt, then whisk in the olive oil until blended.
• Put the lentils, bay leaf and thyme sprigs in a 4-6 quart pot along with 2 teaspoons salt and 6 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook 15 minutes.
• Add the carrots, celery and onion to the lentils and continue cooking 5 - 10 minutes, until the lentils are tender. They will have absorbed most, but not all of the liquid.
• Drain the lentils and transfer back to the pot or to a serving bowl. Pluck out the bay leaf and thyme sprigs and discard. Pour the dressing over and stir to coat. Add the parsley and spinach and stir through.
• Sprinkle the cheese and walnuts over the salad and serve warm or at room temperature.

CREAMY VEGAN LENTILS WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat a large pot on medium-low heat and melt the plant butter for 30 seconds before adding the onion, carrot, celery and garlic to the pot. Cook for at least 5 minutes or until the vegetable are a bit browned and the onions are translucent.
• Increase heat to high for 30 seconds before adding the wine. Stir everything till well combined and let the wine completely reduce/evaporate.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and add in the lentils. Stir well before adding the vegetable stock, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leafs. Put the lid on and simmer on medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
• To the pot, add the half and half or cashew cream and spinach and stir till well combined. Cook for another 5 minutes or until everything is beautiful, fragrant and creamy.
• Serve with a splash of red wine vinegar, olive oil, a bit more salt and parsley.

LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• In a medium-sized pot, sautee the onion and garlic with the olive oil until soft and nearly golden. Then add the tomatoes and paste and keep sautéing until the tomatoes release all the water, and keep cooking until most of the tomatoes water is evaporated.
• Add the herbs and spices and sauté for another couple of minutes until the mixture looks like a thick paste.
• Add the stock and bring it to a boil, then add int he lentils and cover the pot. Cook the lentils for 15 minutes until they start to soften up and then add the spinach.
• Keep the pot covered and allow it to cook for 10 minutes more until the spinach has wilted and the lentils have cooked completely. Add the remaining herbs. Taste and adjust the salt. Serve right away and enjoy :)

INDIAN LENTILS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oil in a heavy pan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in the hot oil until beginning to turn golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add minced garlic to onion; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
• Mix chicken broth, lentils, 1/2 cup water, crushed garlic, coriander, salt, cumin, chili powder, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf into onion mixture; bring to a boil. Cover pan, lower heat to medium-low, and simmer until lentils are soft, about 35 minutes.
• Place spinach in a microwave-safe bowl and add 1/4 cup water; heat in microwave for 5 minutes. Stir spinach and continue cooking in microwave until heated through, about 5 minutes more. Let spinach cool, about 5 minutes; drain water and squeeze excess water from spinach.
• Mix spinach into lentils; cover pan and simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes.

LENTILS WITH SPINACH AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and coriander and cook until fragrant.
• Add sausage and cook until there is no more pink.
• Add lentils, chicken broth, and bay leaves.
• Cover and bring to a boil, turn down heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add potatoes and cook for 15-20 minutes.
• When potatoes are soft add spinach and stir until completely wilted.

LENTILS WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Cut onion in half lengthwise and then cut the halves into fine half rings.
• Heat oil over medium flame.
• When hot, put in onion and garlic. Stir and saute for 2 minutes.
• Put in lentils and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
• Cover, lower heat, and simmer about 25 minutes or until lentils are just tender.
• Defrost spinach and add spinach, salt, and cumin to the lentils.
• Simmer 10 minutes. Add pepper. Serve.

ONE-POT LENTILS & RICE WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until starting to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, salt, bay leaves, pepper and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add rice and stir to coat. Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Add lentils, cover and cook until the rice and lentils are tender and most of the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes more.
• Remove from heat and gently stir in spinach. Place a clean dish towel over the saucepan and replace the lid. Let stand for 10 minutes (the towel will absorb the steam). Stir in vinegar and remove bay leaves before serving. Garnish with scallions and cilantro, if desired.

CHANA DAL (YELLOW LENTILS) WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Wash lentils and allow to soak in water at least an hour before use (I usually let mine soak overnight).
• Drain the lentils, place in a large pot with enough water to cover the lentils, bring to a boil and let simmer for 20-30 minutes until the lentils have softened (you may use additional water to do this).
• Cook uncovered to let the cooking liquid evaporate - but be careful not to overcook such that they become mushy.
• Heat oil, add bay leaves and cinnamon, and then fry mustard seeds till they sputter, then add onion, ginger, garlic and chili and fry a further 5 minutes.
• Add spinach and cook for 10 minutes or until spinach is dry and liquid has been absorbed.
• Stir in the remaining spices and salt and cook for 3-4 minutes.
• Finally add the lentils, stir and cook a further 5 minutes.

CREAMY COCONUT CURRY LENTILS WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Mince the garlic, grate the ginger, and dice the onion. Add the olive oil, garlic, and ginger to a deep skillet, Dutch oven, or soup pot. Sauté the garlic and ginger over medium heat for 1 minute, or just until the garlic becomes soft and fragrant.
• Add the diced onion to the skillet and continue to sauté over medium until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the curry powder and continue to sauté for about one minute more to toast the spices.
• Add the dry lentils and vegetable broth to the skillet. Stir to dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Place a lid on top, turn the heat up to medium-high, and bring the broth to a boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down to low, and let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• After simmering for 20 minutes the lentils should be tender and most of the broth absorbed. Add the can of coconut milk and stir to combine. Turn the heat back up to medium and allow the skillet to come back up to a simmer. Let it simmer without a lid for an additional 10 minutes, stirring often, to thicken the mixture.
• Once thickened, turn the heat off. Add the fresh spinach and stir gently until the spinach has wilted. Taste the mixture and adjust the salt or curry powder to your liking, if needed.
• Serve over a bowl of rice, and top with chopped cilantro if desired.

SPINACH WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Put lentils& bay leaf into a sauce pan and cover with water until the water is 1" above the lentils, bring to a boil, reduce heat& simmer until tender 40-50 minutes.
• You may have to add a bit of water if they cook dry.
• Remove from heat, cover& keep warm, Drain off any excess water.
• In a large skillet or wok heat oil.
• Saute the garlic& carrot until golden.
• Stir in spinach until just wilted (do not over cook).
• Stir the spinach into the lentils and season to taste.
• Mix in lemon juice.

RED LENTIL DAHL (DAL) WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Thoroughly rinse the lentils until the water runs clear then add to a large saucepan with 1 litre of water, one teaspoon of turmeric and half a teaspoon of salt. Bring to the boil then reduce to a low simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Stir once the beginning then stir well at the end of cooking.
• While the lentils are cooking, heat a tablespoon of sunflower oil in a large sautè pan. Add the sliced shallots along with 1 tsp of mustard seeds, 1 tsp of cumin seeds and 10 cardamom pods. Cook gently until the shallots are soft.
• Next, add the garlic, ginger, 1 and a half teaspoons of garam masala, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves, 1/2 a teaspoon of salt and a pinch of red chilli flakes. Stir well, and gook until the spices release their aroma, about one minute.Now add the chopped tomatoes, stir well and break down any large pieces with your wooden spoon. Cook over low heat until the lentils are ready.
• Once the lentils are cooked, they should have almost collapsed, give them a good stir. Add the lentils to the tomatoes and stir well. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, stirring often so the lentils don't stick to the bottom of the pan.
• Once the dal is nice and thick stir in the lemon juice. Add the spinach one handful at a time until it is wilted. Top the dal with a handful of fresh coriander leaves.Serve immediately with basmati rice, naan and lemon wedges.

LENTILS WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the water, lentils, carrot, onion, garlic, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are soft, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain, discarding bay leaf.
• Use a paper towel to wipe out any water from the saucepan. Add oil, and return pan to medium heat. Stir in the lentils, vegetables, and spinach. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes. Taste, and adjust for seasoning. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to serving bowls.

LENTILS WITH SPINACH AND SOY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a pot, combine 4 cups of water, the lentils, onion, garlic and bay leaf, and bring to a boil. You can add some celery tops for added flavor, if desired.
• When water boils, reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the lentils are tender, 20-30 minutes. Drain and let cool.
• Remove the onion, garlic, bay leaf (and celery tops, if used). Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
• In a saucepan or deep skillet heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the diced carrots and cook, stirring, until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, stir to blend, and cook for 1 minute. Add the cooked lentils, spinach and soy sauce. Stir well, cover, and cook over low heat until the spinach is wilted, about 3-5 minutes. Serve over hot rice, if desired.

ADDICTIVE BLACK LENTILS WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a small pot and cover with water by at least an inch. Add a teaspoon of kosher salt. Bring to a simmer. Simmer till done. Times will vary considerably. My black lentils have been cooking consistently in about 23-25 minutes. If you are using French Green lentils, they'll likely need a little more time. Taste before draining them.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Add the onions and a pinch of salt. Stir. Cover the pan and immediately turn the heat to low. I like to cook the onions super slowly for the entire time the lentils are cooking. Open the lid to check on the onions periodically, allowing any water trapped in the lid to drip back into the pan.
• When the lentils are done, remove the lid from the onion pan and turn heat to medium. Add the vinegar and cook until it reduces and becomes almost syrupy. Add the lentils and stir to combine. Add the spinach and a pinch of salt, then turn off the heat. Leave the spinach alone for a minute or two, then use tongs or a large spoon to incorporate the leaves into the lentils. Taste. Adjust with sea salt as needed or a splash more vinegar if necessary.
• To serve, smear some labneh across a plate. Spoon the warm spinach and lentils over top. Alternatively, if using burrata, break up the ball of burrata and drop spoonfuls of the creamy cheese over top. Or, if you are making the lemony yogurt sauce, stir together the yogurt, lemon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until smooth; then smear that over a serving platter, before topping it with the spinach and lentils.

MUSHROOM LENTIL STEW WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Warm 1 tablespoon each of the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat in a 5 quart Dutch oven or other heavy lidded pot. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring just a few times, until nicely browned and reduced in volume by half. Remove mushrooms to a bowl and set aside.
• In the same pot, heat the remaining butter and olive oil. Add onion, celery, carrots and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about five minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, for a minute. Stir in the tomato paste and cook a minute more.
• Add the vegetable broth, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, soy sauce, marmite, bay leaf and thyme. Raise heat to high. Rinse and drain the lentils and add to pot. When broth comes to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 30 minutes, until lentils are nice and tender. Remove from heat and remove thyme stems and bay leaf.
• If you have an immersion blender, pulse it 4 or 5 times to puree the stew just a little bit. (Alternatively, transfer about two cups of the stew to a blender and puree it, then return to pot, or simply forego this step if you prefer.)
• Return the mushrooms and any accumulated juices to the pot along with the spinach and cream. Simmer briskly, uncovered, until spinach is wilted, about two minutes. Off the heat, stir in vinegar. Let sit for 10 minutes, then ladle into bowls and serve with good bread.

SPINACH, SWEET POTATO & LENTIL DHAL

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a wide-based pan with a tight-fitting lid.
• Add 1 finely chopped red onion and cook over a low heat for 10 mins, stirring occasionally, until softened.
• Add 1 crushed garlic clove, a finely chopped thumb-sized piece of ginger and 1 finely chopped red chilli, cook for 1 min, then add 1½ tsp ground turmeric and 1½ tsp ground cumin and cook for 1 min more.
• Turn up the heat to medium, add 2 sweet potatoes, cut into even chunks, and stir everything together so the potato is coated in the spice mixture.
• Tip in 250g red split lentils, 600ml vegetable stock and some seasoning.
• Bring the liquid to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and cook for 20 mins until the lentils are tender and the potato is just holding its shape.
• Taste and adjust the seasoning, then gently stir in the 80g spinach. Once wilted, top with the 4 diagonally sliced spring onions and ½ small pack torn basil leaves to serve.
• Alternatively, allow to cool completely, then divide between airtight containers and store in the fridge for a healthy lunchbox.

PUY LENTILS WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• In a dutch oven (or large heavy-bottomed pot) heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil or duck fat until shimmering. Add the carrots and onions and cook until the vegetables begin to soften but not brown (about 10-12 min). Add the garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes more, until the garlic is fragrant.
• Meanwhile, make the Bouquet Garni by tying together the rosemary, thyme, parsley and bay leaf with string
• Once the vegetables are soft, add the lentils, stock, potatoes and the bouquet garni. Cook uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. When ready, the lentils should be soft and most of the liquid should be absorbed. If the liquid is absorbed before the lentils are tender, add more stock (or water) 1/4 cup at a time until they're ready.
• When the lentils are finished, remove the bouquet garni. If the spinach leaves are larger, roughly chop them (or just add them is small) and stir into the lentils a bit at a time until they are all wilted. Cook for 4-5 minutes more.
• Season the lentils well with salt and pepper, a good glug of olive oil (3-4 tablespoons) and 3-4 tablespoons of red wine vinegar. Stir everything one last time and check the flavors again. The lentils should have a little vinegary tang to them but not be sour.
• To serve, spoon the lentils onto plates and swirl in a spoonful of sour cream or Crème fraîche (if using).

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.

SPICY INDIAN LENTIL AND SPINACH AND TOMATO

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils until the water runs clear. Combine lentils, boiling water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon oil to a pot. Simmer on medium heat with lid tilted for 20 to 25 minutes or until tender and most of the water is cooked out. The lentils will have a mushy texture when cooked.
• Heat 2 tablespoon oil in a heavy bottomed pot on medium-low heat. Add cumin seeds, simmering 20 seconds until the seeds begin to crackle.
• Add in the garlic, ginger and chili peppers, sautéing just until aromatic. Add in onions and continue to sauté 3 to 4 minutes or until translucent.
• Add tomatoes, sautéing 5 minutes or until they become soft and begin to break apart. Add in spinach, folding into sauce until wilted. Stir in turmeric and chili powder and continue to simmering for an additional 30 seconds to infuse the sauce with spices.
• Gently fold lentils into the sauce until well combined.
• Stir in coconut milk and lemon juice and bring to a gentle simmer.
• Stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt and continue to simmer on low for 5 minutes.
• Serve hot with a side of rice and Pita or Naan bread.

RAGHAVAN'S PALAK MASOOR DAL (RED LENTILS WITH SPINACH)

Steps:

• Rinse lentils in a 3- to 4-quart pot with water, rubbing lentils between the fingertips of one hand, then drain. Repeat 3 or 4 times or until the water runs clear.
• Place drained lentils in the pot and add 2 cups water, tomatoes, ginger, chiles, and turmeric. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, skimming and discarding foam. When tomato skin is loosened and wrinkled, after about 5 minutes of cooking, transfer tomatoes to a plate to cool.
• Reduce heat to medium and simmer lentils, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until very tender and almost mushy, about 15 minutes. (The lentil color will change from salmon to pale yellow as they cook.) Keep warm over low heat.
• Meanwhile, peel and core cooled tomatoes; discard skins. Transfer tomatoes to a blender, along with the ginger and chiles from the pot and the cilantro. Pureé, scraping down the sides as needed, until you have a thick, green-flecked tomato sauce.
• Heat ghee in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add cumin seeds and let sizzle until they turn reddish brown and smell nutty, about 10 seconds. Immediately add spinach in handfuls, stirring to wilt.
• Stir spinach mixture, tomato sauce, and salt into warm lentils. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors mingle, about 5 minutes.

BRAISED LENTILS WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Pour enough cold water over the lentils, onions, carrots, celery, and bay leaves in a 3-quart saucepan to cover by three fingers. Season with salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Adjust the heat so the water is at a gentle boil and cook until the lentils are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain the lentils, discard the bay leaves, and transfer to a large skillet.
• Pour in the chicken stock and olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid is reduced enough to coat the lentils, about 3 minutes. Scatter the spinach over the lentils and toss just until the spinach is wilted, about 1 minute. Taste and add salt and pepper if necessary. Serve immediately.