Best 7 French Lentils Recipes

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Indulge in a culinary journey to the heart of French cuisine with our diverse collection of French lentil recipes. Discover a symphony of flavors and textures as you explore the versatility of this humble legume. From hearty and comforting stews to vibrant salads and quick weeknight dinners, our recipes cater to every palate and occasion.

Embark on a culinary adventure with our classic French lentil soup, a comforting and nourishing dish that epitomizes French home cooking. Explore the aromatic depths of our lentil and sausage casserole, where succulent sausages and tender lentils intertwine in a savory embrace. For a lighter option, try our vibrant lentil salad, a symphony of colors and flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.

If time is of the essence, our quick and easy lentil recipes have you covered. Whip up a speedy lentil pasta dish in just 30 minutes, or savor the convenience of our one-pot lentil and rice meal. For a taste of Mediterranean sunshine, our fragrant lentil and vegetable tagine promises an explosion of flavors.

Explore the diverse culinary landscape of French lentil cuisine with our curated collection of recipes. Whether you seek a hearty and comforting meal or a quick and flavorful dish, our recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings and transport you to the heart of French culinary tradition.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

FRENCH LENTILS WITH GARLIC AND THYME



French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme image

This is a classic French way to cook lentils, and it's very easy. Aromatics are sautéed and then simmered with French lentils, also known as Le Puy lentils, for 20 to 25 minutes. It is an easy side dish (shown here with cod baked with prosciutto), redolent of a Provencal feast.

Provided by Nigella Lawson

Categories     weekday, side dish

Time 40m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

3 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped
2 1/4 cups French lentils
1 teaspoon dried or fresh thyme
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon kosher salt

Steps:

  • Place a large saucepan over medium heat and add oil. When hot, add chopped vegetables and sauté until softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Add 6 cups water, lentils, thyme, bay leaves and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a fast simmer.
  • Simmer lentils until they are tender and have absorbed most of the water, 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, drain any excess water after lentils have cooked. Serve immediately, or allow them to cool and reheat later.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 330, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 49 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 18 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 259 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams

WARM FRENCH LENTILS



Warm French Lentils image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup good olive oil
1 leek, white and light green parts, sliced 1/4-inch thick
2 carrots, scrubbed and 1/2-inch diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup French green Le Puy lentils
1 whole onion, peeled and stuck with 6 whole cloves
1 white turnip, cut in half
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saute pan, add the leek and carrots, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, place the lentils, 4 cups of water, the onion with the cloves, and the turnip in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are almost tender. Remove and discard the onion and turnip and drain the lentils. Place them in a medium bowl with the leek and carrots, and add the butter.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together the 1/4 cup of olive oil, the mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add to the lentils, stir well, and allow the lentils to cool until just warm, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve. The longer the lentils sit, the more salt and pepper you'll want to add.

FRENCH LENTILS WITH CHARD



French Lentils with Chard image

This hearty one-dish vegetarian meal is meant to appeal to families that include a mix of meat-eaters and vegetarians. A great pot of beans or lentils, even when you add to it a bunch of chard from the farmers' market, costs no more than $4 to make, and it feeds four to six people. This combo of lentils and greens is inspired by a classic preparation for the tasty French Le Puy green lentils that traditionally includes salt pork and/or bacon and sausage. For this vegetarian version, I don't insist on Le Puy lentils, although I highly recommend them. Meat eaters in the family might want to accompany this with sausage, cooked separately or with the lentils. I recommend topping the lentils with goat cheese or feta.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, one pot, main course

Time 1h10m

Yield Serves 4 to 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
4 large garlic cloves, minced
1 pound lentils, preferably imported green lentils, washed and picked over 2 1/4 cups
A bouquet garni made with 2 bay leaves, a Parmesan rind and a sprig or two each of thyme and parsley
Salt
freshly ground pepper
1 bunch Swiss chard (3/4 to 1 pound), stemmed, washed and coarsely chopped
Freshly grated Parmesan, crumbled goat cheese or feta for serving

Steps:

  • Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a heavy soup pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until it begins to soften, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the carrot and celery and cook, stirring, until all the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the lentils, 2 quarts water and bouquet garni. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer 40 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bouquet garni.
  • Stir the chard into the simmering lentils. Cook another 10 minutes or so, until the lentils and greens are tender. The chard should be tender but still bright. Taste, adjust seasonings and serve, passing the cheese at the table for sprinkling. Alternatively, transfer to an oiled baking dish, top with rounds of goat cheese, crumbled feta or grated Parmesan, and heat through in a medium oven.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 323, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 56 grams, Fat 3 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Protein 21 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 455 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams

BASIC FRENCH LENTILS



Basic French Lentils image

A humble peasant dish, this will be best made with real French _lentilles du Puy_. Adapted from Dorie Greenspan's _Around My French Table_ as published by Caroline Russock at Serious Eats. http://bit.ly/d4IBaV

Provided by DrGaellon

Categories     Lentil

Time 1h

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup lentils, du puy
1 clove
1 small onion, peeled
1 medium carrot, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 4 to 6 pieces
1 celery rib, trimmed, peeled, and cut into 4 to 6 pieces
1 garlic clove, smashed, peeled, and germ removed
1 bay leaf
3 1/2 cups vegetable broth or 3 1/2 cups water
1 tablespoon cognac (optional)
1 shallot, finely chopped, rinsed, and patted dry (optional)
freshly ground pepper

Steps:

  • Pick over the lentils, removing any stones. Rinse under cold water and drain well.
  • Put lentils in a saucepan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes. Pour into strainer and rinse with cold water. Rinse saucepan as well and return lentils to pan.
  • Push the clove into the onion and place onion in saucepan. Add carrot, celery, garlic, bay leaf and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook 25-30 minutes until almost tender. Skim off any solids that rise up while cooking. Season with salt and pepper and cook an additional 5-10 minutes until fully tender. Add Cognac, if using.
  • Drain the lentils (save the cooking liquid if you're planning to reheat them later). Discard the garlic, bay leaf and clove. Dice the vegetables and stir back into the lentils along with the shallot, if using.
  • Serve hot or at room temperature. Store lentils and cooking liquid separately in airtight containers in refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat lentils in cooking liquid in a covered saucepan over low heat.

SLOWLY COOKED SHORT RIBS WITH FRENCH LENTILS, SPECK, AND PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS



Slowly Cooked Short Ribs with French Lentils, Speck, and Portobello Mushrooms image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 5h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 29

Four 3- by 2-inch trimmed beef short ribs
Salt and pepper
Flour, to dust the meat
1/4 cup vegetable oil, plus 1/4 cup
1 carrot peeled and chopped into 1-inch pieces
1 yellow onion, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
1 celery stalk cut into 1-inch pieces
1 Roma tomato, quartered
1 garlic head, halved lengthwise
2 cups cabernet sauvignon (Recommended: Plumpjack)
1 quart veal stock (chicken stock may be substituted)
2 bay leaves
1 sprig thyme
Portobello Mushrooms, recipe follows
Lentils, recipe follows
2 portobello mushrooms
Extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 teaspoon thyme leaves
1 pound De Puy lentils
1 carrot, peeled
1 leek, white part only
1 stalk celery, peeled
1/2 cup speck, cut into brunoise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped parsley
Salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Trim away any excess fat from the beef, season liberally with salt and pepper, dust with flour. Braise the beef in a heavy-bottomed braising pan with 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Once the beef is browned, remove from the pan and place on paper towels to catch excess fat. Pour off all of the grease from the pan and then return the pan to the heat.
  • Place about 1/4 cup of oil in the pan and add the carrot, onion, and celery. Lightly brown the vegetables over medium heat, stirring often with a wooden spoon. Once the vegetables begin to brown, add the tomato and garlic, and continue to saute until the juices have reduced and all of the vegetables are lightly browned and glazed.
  • Deglaze the pan with the wine and simmer over medium heat, scraping the bottom of the pan with wooden spoon often to release any vegetables that may be sticking. Reduce the mixture until the wine is evaporated, the pan is dry, and the vegetables have a nice deep red wine glaze.
  • Add the stock, bay leaves, and thyme to the pan. Bring the stock to a simmer, add the beef, and cover tightly with aluminum foil. Bake until tender, about 3 1/2 to 4 hours.
  • Once the beef is tender, remove from the juice and set aside. Strain the juice into a saucepan and bring to a simmer. Skim any fat or particles that may rise to the surface. Reduce the liquid by 1/4 while continuing to skim the surface. Once reduced, strain the liquid and set aside until ready to serve.
  • Serve with Portobello Mushrooms and Lentils.
  • Remove the stems and gills from mushrooms. Brush each liberally with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the mushrooms over moderate temperature, just until tender, about 3 minutes on each side. Slice the cooked mushrooms into 1/4-inch slices and then toss with about 2 teaspoons of olive oil and thyme.
  • Pick over the lentils to check for stones and other debris. Place lentils into sauce pan and cover with cold water. Quickly bring to a simmer and then strain and cool. Return lentils to pan and cover them with water. Bring to a boil and simmer until tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Strain and spread them into one layer on a sheet tray. Set aside and reserve at room temperature. Cut the celery, carrot, and the leek into brunoise, and place in large mixing bowl. Add the still warm lentils to the mixture, toss evenly and briefly refrigerate. Whisk together the mustard, vinegar, and olive oil then toss with cooled lentil/vegetable mixture. Add the speck and chopped parsley. Reserve the mixture until ready to serve.

FRENCH (PUY) LENTILS WITH BEETS, (VEGAN, VEGETARIAN)



French (Puy) Lentils With Beets, (Vegan, Vegetarian) image

I got this recipe from the back of a McKenzie's lentil packet which I bought just for the recipe. It's very simple to make, filling, healthy and cheap. I reckon you could sub the puy lentils for whole brown ones. It has coriander in it but I didn't use it when I made it because I didn't have any. Feta is nice of this but if you are making it vegan leave it out but you might want to add more salt. Also add in a bay leaf when boiling the lentils

Provided by canthelpmyself

Categories     Lentil

Time 10m

Yield 3-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup of puy lentils (boiled in salted water till tender and drained, 25mins approx)
4 whole baby beets (cooked till tender, peeled, cut into medium wedges)
1/2 red onion, cut into thin wedges
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1/2 cup coriander, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon grainy mustard
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/3 cup of crumbled feta (optional)

Steps:

  • combine the beets, lentils, onion and herbs in a medium bowl.
  • Mix the garlic, olive oil, mustard and lemon juice and mix with the lentil mix.
  • Serve with crumbled feta on top if desired.

WARM FRENCH LENTILS



WARM FRENCH LENTILS image

Categories     Bean

Yield 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup good olive oil
1 leek, white and light green parts, sliced 1/4-inch thick
2 carrots, scrubbed and 1/2-inch-diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup French green Le Puy lentils
1 whole onion, peeled and stuck with 6 whole cloves
1 white turnip, cut in half
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saute pan, add the leek and carrots, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute and set aside. Meanwhile, place the lentils, 4 cups of water, the onion with the cloves, and the turnip in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are almost tender. Remove and discard the onion and turnip and drain the lentils. Place them in a medium bowl with the leek and carrots, and add the butter. Meanwhile, whisk together the 1/4 cup of olive oil, the mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add to the lentils, stir well, and allow the lentils to cool until just warm, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve. The longer the lentils sit, the more salt and pepper you'll want to add. Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/warm-french-lentils-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Tips:

- To make the lentils more flavorful, you can add a bay leaf, a few cloves of garlic, and a sprig of thyme to the pot while they are cooking. - You can also add chopped vegetables to the lentils, such as carrots, celery, and onions. - If you want a thicker soup, you can mash some of the lentils with a fork before serving. - Serve the lentils with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt, some chopped fresh herbs, and a crusty baguette.

Conclusion:

French lentils are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. They are also a good source of protein, fiber, and iron. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make a delicious and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

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