Recipes For Red Lentil Pasta Food

RED LENTIL PASTA WITH CREAMY TOMATO & PEPPER SAUCE

Steps:

• First, make the sauce. Put the cashews and garlic in a bowl, then pour over 125ml boiling water and set aside for 5 mins. Meanwhile, put a large pan of water over a high heat. When the water is boiling rapidly, tip in the pasta and a little salt, stir once, then continue to boil for 8 mins, or following pack instructions, until the pasta is softened but still retains some bite.
• Meanwhile, add the roasted pepper and sun-dried tomatoes to the bowl with the cashews, garlic and water, then whizz with a hand blender or in a food processor to make a smooth, creamy sauce. Stir through the basil and season with black pepper.
• Drain the pasta, mix with the sauce in a large bowl, then divide between two bowls and add a handful of rocket to each.

PASTA AND LENTILS

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a rolling boil, add the lentils, and cook, covered over a medium high heat, until nearly but not entirely tender, about 20 minutes.
• Add the garlic, olive oil, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Reduce the heat, cover and continue to simmer briskly for another 10 minutes, stirring a few times, or until the lentil are fully tender.
• If using capellini, break it into 2 to 4 inch pieces and add them to the lentils. Cook, covered, at a steady simmer, stirring several times and scraping the bottom of the pot when you do. Cook until the pasta is just done, stirring more frequently as it gets closer to that point. If using a small tubular pasta or pasta mista, cook the pasta at least halfway in plenty of salted boiling water. Drain the pasta, add it to the lentils, and simmer to finish cooking the pasta.
• When either pasta is cooked to taste, remove the pot from the heat, stir in the parsley, cover the pot, and let stand about 5 minutes before serving. Serve hot, passing hot pepper oil all the best quality extra virgin olive oil for drizzling on top.

RED LENTIL PATE

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan over high heat, combine the lentils with 4 cups water and bring it to a boil. Skim and discard any foam and add the bay leaf. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes; drain.
• While the lentils simmer, in a small saute pan over medium heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and pine nuts and cook until the onion softens and the pine nuts begin to color, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic, tomato paste, coriander, caraway, cumin, cayenne, and salt. Continue to cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Remove from the heat.
• In a food processor, add the lentils and onion mixture and puree until smooth.
• Transfer to a serving bowl and serve at once. May be covered and chilled and served cold. Serve with pita toasts or crudite.

LENTIL RAGU

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Cook gently for 15-20 mins until everything is softened. Stir in the lentils, chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, herbs and stock. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 40-50 mins until the lentils are tender and saucy - splash in water if you need. Season.
• If eating straight away, keep on a low heat while you cook the spaghetti, following pack instructions. Drain well, divide between pasta bowls or plates, spoon sauce over the top and grate over some cheese. Alternatively, cool the sauce and chill for up to 3 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months. Simply defrost portions overnight at room temperature, then reheat gently to serve.

RED LENTIL SPAGHETTI SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onions and cook about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute.
• Stir in the lentils and broth and cook over medium low until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, oregano and red chili. Stir until heated through.
• Remove from heat and sprinkle the parsley over all.
• Delicious over pasta or polenta.