**Lentils with Pasta and Caramelized Onions: A Trio of Textures and Flavors**
Indulge in a delightful symphony of flavors and textures with this comforting dish of Lentils with Pasta and Caramelized Onions. This wholesome recipe combines the earthy goodness of lentils, the hearty bite of pasta, and the sweet and savory notes of caramelized onions. As the lentils simmer in a flavorful broth, the onions slowly caramelize in a pan, releasing their natural sweetness and adding a touch of complexity to the dish. Once everything comes together, you'll have a satisfying and nutritious meal that's perfect for a cozy dinner or a quick and easy lunch. This recipe also includes variations for those who prefer a vegetarian or vegan version, making it a versatile dish that can cater to different dietary preferences. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the harmony of lentils, pasta, and caramelized onions.
CARAMELIZED ONION PASTA
All you need for this tasty dinner is a bag of onions, garlic, some dried pasta, and cheese. Caramelizing sliced onions in a little butter and olive oil makes them become sweet and yielding, almost luscious. Pasta water and Parmesan do double duty, adding salt and depth while the creamy sauce forms.
Provided by Samantha Seneviratne
Categories Pasta Butter Onion Garlic Parmesan Cheese Parsley Kid-Friendly Dinner Small Plates
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Heat oil and butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium until butter is melted. Add onions and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender and deeply golden brown, about 30 minutes. (Stop before the onions become dry and shriveled.) Add red pepper flakes (if using) and 1 1/2 tsp. salt. Remove pot from heat.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta cooking liquid.
- Add pasta and 1 cup pasta cooking liquid to onion mixture and stir to combine. Add a small handful of cheese and stir until melted. Repeat with remaining cheese, adding more pasta cooking liquid as needed to create a glossy sauce that coats the pasta. Stir in parsley (if using).
- Divide pasta among bowls. Top with Parmesan, parsley, and a few cranks of pepper.
LENTILS AND RICE WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: medium red onion, olive oil, water, medium red onion, garlic, olive oil, green lentil, long grain rice, salt, cumin, cinnamon, bay leaf, fresh parsley, lemon, greek yogurt
Provided by Andrew Ilnyckyj
Categories Dinner
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In a large pot, sauté the diced red onion and minced garlic in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the water, green lentils, and salt to the large pot. Bring to a boil.
- Cover with lid and simmer for 10 minutes.
- To make the caramelized onions, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over low heat and add the onion slices, stirring occasionally until completely soft, dark brown, and caramelized.
- NOTE: This will take about 30 minutes. The onions should become very dark and tacky when finished. Stir often to avoid burning.
- Add the rice, cumin, cinnamon, and bayleaf to the lentils. Stir.
- Cook covered for about 15 minutes, or until rice is cooked.
- Serve lentils and rice topped with the caramelized onions, chopped fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and Greek yogurt if desired.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 473 calories, Carbohydrate 82 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 20 grams, Sugar 8 grams
LEBANESE RICE AND LENTILS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring the lentils to a boil in the water and simmer, skimming, about 25 minutes, or until nearly tender. Drain the lentils, reserving 1 1/2 cups of cooking liquid. Add more liquid if necessary to make 1 1/2 cups.
- Cook the onions in the olive oil for about 5 minutes. Then remove 1 1/2 cups of the onions and cook the rest until they caramelize and begin to get crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes more. Drain the caramelized onions on paper towels.
- Add to the saucepan the cooked lentils, the reserved liquid, the softened onions, and the basmati rice, salt and allspice. Cook over low heat, covered, until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Top with caramelized onions.
- Recommended drink: Arak
PASTA AND LENTILS (PASTA E LENTICCHIE)
This classic Neapolitan dish's heartiness comes from cooking pasta with lentils so that the starches thicken the liquid into something creamier and richer than a basic lentil soup. There are many versions of this peasant food, including ones with pancetta, carrots, parsley or Parmesan rinds; some also use a hodgepodge of pasta shapes from half-empty boxes - it's a true pantry meal. Brown lentils will fall apart more quickly than green, but they'll create a luscious sauce either way. Stir the pasta often, especially towards the end of cooking, and add more water if the pot is dry (the sauce will thicken as it cools). Leftovers will keep for up to 3 days refrigerated; warm over low heat and add water to loosen.
Provided by Ali Slagle
Time 1h
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high. Add the onion and garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 5 cups of water, the lentils, the thyme and bay leaves (if using). Partially cover, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are al dente, 25 to 30 minutes.
- Add the tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil over high. Add the pasta and cook, stirring often to keep the pasta from sticking to the pot, until the pasta is al dente, 10 to 20 minutes. (It may take longer than the cook time on the package.) If the pot starts to look dry at any point, add more water, 1/4 cup at a time.
- Turn off the heat, discard the thyme and bay leaves, then stir in the Parmesan. Cover and let sit for 3 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce thickens. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Eat with more Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.
LENTILS WITH PASTA AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS
Steps:
- Fry the onion in 2 tablespoons oil until brown and caramelized, stirring often. It is a good idea to start with the lid on; this allows them to soften more quickly.
- Rinse the lentils and boil them in plenty of water until they are only just tender. Some brands take as little as 10 to 15 minutes, others take much longer. You should read the instructions on the package and watch the cooking carefully.
- Break the tagliatelle into pieces by crushing the nests in your hands and drop the pieces into the pan with the lentils-there should be enough water to cover them. Add salt, stir, and boil vigorously until the pasta is cooked al dente.
- Drain quickly and toss gently with the remaining olive oil, a little salt and pepper, the fried onions, and the chopped parsley.
LENTILS AND RICE WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS
This can be served either warm or room temperature as an appetizer (good with toasted pita chips), or as a side to chicken. As suggested by some reviewers, add cumin and allspice to taste, if desired!
Provided by Outta Here
Categories Long Grain Rice
Time 1h15m
Yield 12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Peel and slice onions vertically.
- Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add onion; cover and cook 15 minutes or until soft, stirring occasionally.
- Uncover and increase heat to medium; cook 25 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and keep onions warm.
- While onion cooks, bring water to a boil in a large saucepan.
- Add lentils; return to a boil and reduce heat to keep at a low boil and cook 20 minutes.
- Stir in 1/2 cup caramelized onion, rice, salt, and pepper. Cover, and cook over medium-low heat for 25 minutes, until lentils and rice are tender.
- Spoon lentils and rice into a shallow dish; top with remaining onion.
- Drizzle remaining oil over lentils. Serve with yogurt, if desired.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the final dish. Look for lentils that are plump and free of debris, and use a good quality pasta and olive oil.
- Don't overcook the lentils: Lentils should be cooked until they are tender but still hold their shape. Overcooked lentils will become mushy and bland.
- Caramelize the onions slowly and patiently: This will develop their sweetness and depth of flavor. Don't rush the process or the onions will burn.
- Season the dish to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You may also want to add a squeeze of lemon juice or a dollop of yogurt to brighten the flavors.
- Serve the dish immediately: Lentils with pasta and caramelized onions is best served hot, so make sure to have everything ready to go before you start cooking.
Conclusion:
This recipe for lentils with pasta and caramelized onions is a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner. It is also relatively inexpensive to make and can be easily adapted to your own taste preferences. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal that is both healthy and delicious, give this recipe a try.
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