**Mushroom Lentil Pâté: A Flavorful and Nutritious Plant-Based Appetizer**
Indulge in the delectable Mushroom Lentil Pâté, a symphony of earthy flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This vegan and gluten-free spread is not only a culinary delight but also a nutritional powerhouse, crafted with wholesome ingredients like lentils, mushrooms, walnuts, and a medley of herbs and spices.
The recipe offers two variations to cater to different dietary preferences: a classic version and a smoky chipotle version. Both variations are easy to prepare and can be enjoyed as a dip with crackers or bread, a filling for sandwiches or wraps, or even as a topping for crostini.
The classic Mushroom Lentil Pâté embodies simplicity and elegance. Lentils and mushrooms, sautéed to perfection, blend harmoniously with a symphony of aromatic herbs and spices. The result is a smooth and flavorful spread that is both satisfying and versatile.
The smoky chipotle version adds a layer of complexity and heat to the classic recipe. Chipotle peppers, known for their smoky and slightly spicy flavor, are incorporated into the pâté, creating a delightful balance between smoky, spicy, and earthy notes.
Whether you prefer the classic or smoky chipotle variation, the Mushroom Lentil Pâté is a culinary masterpiece that will impress your guests and nourish your body. Let's dive into the recipes and embark on a flavor-filled journey.
LENTIL PATE
This hors d'oeuvre was inspired by traditional pate, but gets its richness from French lentils, cremini mushrooms, and hazelnuts. The legumes and nuts are sources of cholesterol-lowering fiber.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring lentils, stock, 1 3/4 cups water, onion, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer, adding water as needed (about 1/2 cup at a time) to prevent lentils from drying out, until they are tender, about 30 minutes. Discard onion, thyme, and bay leaf; set lentils aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots, and cook, stirring often, until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Add mushrooms; cook until mushrooms have softened completely and shallots are deep-golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add sherry, stirring to scrape up browned bits. Remove from heat.
- Reserve 2 heaping tablespoons of shallot mixture for garnish; refrigerate, covered, until ready to use. Process remaining shallot mixture, the lentils, and nuts in a food processor until coarsely combined. Transfer to a large bowl, and stir in the egg whites.
- Line a 5-by-10-inch loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing 3 inches to hang over each long side. Spoon lentil mixture into pan, and fold plastic over top. Top with another loaf pan filled with heavy cans. Refrigerate 4 hours (or overnight).
- To serve, unwrap top, and invert onto a platter. Bring to room temperature. Garnish with reserved shallot mixture and thyme sprigs. Serve with crackers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 256 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 11 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 364 g
MUSHROOM-LENTIL PATE
I found this recipe on Washingtonpost.com and just made a batch for this weekend's dinner party. It's so delicious that I had to come and post it right away to share! Serve with whole-grain crackers or rye toast, garnish with thyme, if desired. Pate can be made, covered and refrigerated 2 days in advance.
Provided by Grace Lynn
Categories Spreads
Time 1h
Yield 1 1/4 Cups, 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cover the lentils with an inch of water in a small, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring almost to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook until tender, about 20 minutes, adjusting the heat so the water is barely bubbling. Remove from the heat, stir in the thyme sprigs and 1/4 teaspoon salt, then cover and let sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium heat until warm. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil, the onion and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and cook until translucent, 7 or 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a few minutes longer. Add the mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, toss to coat with the onions, cover partly and cook until the mushrooms have released their liquid, about 10 minutes. Uncover and cook until most of the remaining liquid evaporates. Add the sherry and cook until it just glosses the bottom of the pan, about 1 minute. Cover the skillet and remove it from the heat.
- Pulse the pecans in the bowl of a food processor until they are finely ground. Add the onion-mushroom mixture and process until just combined. Drain the lentils, reserving the cooking liquid for another use, if desired, and add them to the food processor along with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Process until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and pulse just until combined. It should be about the consistency of peanut butter.
- The pate can be served in a bowl immediately, garnished with additional thyme, if desired. It can also be molded. Transfer the pate into a small loaf pan or bowl lined with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. When ready to serve, unmold the pate onto a serving plate and remove the plastic wrap. Garnish with additional thyme, if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 176, Fat 12.9, SaturatedFat 1.5, Sodium 392, Carbohydrate 11.7, Fiber 4.6, Sugar 2.4, Protein 4.7
FAUX GRAS
Adapted from Très Green, Très Clean, Très Chic by Rebecca Leffler Lentils double in volume when cooked, so 1 cup (160g) of dried lentils will yield close to the correct amount. They usually take about 20 to 30 minutes to cook until soft, but check the directions on the package for specific guidelines. If avoiding gluten, use tamari instead of soy sauce. For a vegan version, replace the butter with the same quantity of olive oil, for a total of 1/4 cup (60ml) of olive oil. The cognac or brandy is optional, but it does give the faux gras a little je ne sais quoi.
Provided by David
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Wipe the mushrooms clean. Slice off a bit of the stem end (the funky parts) and slice them. Heat the olive oil and butter in a skillet or wide saucepan. Add the onions and garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions become translucent, 5 to 6 minutes. Add the mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they're soft and cooked through, another 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
- In a food processor, combine the cooked lentils, nuts, lemon juice, soy sauce, rosemary, thyme, sage or parsley, Cognac (if using), brown sugar, and cayenne. Scrape in the cooked mushroom mixture and process until completely smooth. Taste, and add salt, pepper, and additional cognac, soy sauce, or lemon juice, if it needs balancing.
- Scrape the pâté into a small serving bowl and refrigerate for a few hours, until firm.
MUSHROOM AND LENTIL SOUP
Thanks to rich lentils and meaty mushrooms, this vegetarian soup still has all the stick-to-your-ribs heartiness of beef stew.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Soups, Stews & Stocks Soup Recipes
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot, heat oil over medium. Add carrots, onion, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, about 6 minutes. Add mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook until mushrooms are softened and golden brown at edges, about 8 minutes.
- Add thyme, lentils, and 7 cups water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, partially cover, and simmer until lentils are tender, about 25 minutes. Stir in soy sauce and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve soup topped with yogurt.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 452 g, Fat 8 g, Fiber 29 g, Protein 28 g, SaturatedFat 1 g
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use dried lentils instead of canned lentils. Be sure to soak them overnight before cooking.
- If you don't have any fresh thyme, you can use 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme.
- If you like your pâté on the smoother side, you can purée it in a food processor or blender until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve the pâté with crackers, bread, or vegetables. It also makes a great sandwich spread.
Conclusion:
Mushroom lentil pâté is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or snack. It's perfect for parties or potlucks, and it's also a great way to use up leftover lentils. With its rich flavor and creamy texture, this pâté is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.
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