Best 13 Spiced Lentils Recipes

MASOOR DAL (SPICED RED LENTILS)

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium-low heat, heat oil, and sauté onion until softened. Add sweet potato, and sauté for about 5 minutes. Add minced ginger and garlic; stir, and reduce heat to low.
• Finely dice chili, keeping seeds if you wish to add more heat. Add chili, lentils, coriander, cumin, turmeric and ground ginger to pan. Stir until lentils are well coated with oil. Add tomatoes and 4 cups water. Raise heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat until mixture is at a fast simmer. Cook uncovered until lentils and potatoes are soft, stirring occasionally, about 25 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt, and continue to simmer until mixture has thickened, about 10 minutes. Whisk dal to amalgamate lentils and sweet potatoes. If dal is too soupy, increase heat and cook for a little longer.
• To serve, place dal in a serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped cilantro. If desired, shave thin strips of fresh coconut on top. Serve hot.

COD WITH SPICED RED LENTILS

Steps:

• Put the lentils in a saucepan with the turmeric and stock. Bring to the boil, cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until the lentils are just tender. Remove from the heat and add salt.
• Heat the oil in a small frying pan. Add the cumin seeds and, when they begin to pop, add the ginger and cayenne pepper. Stir-fry the spices for a few seconds, then pour on to the lentils. Add the lemon juice and the coriander and stir them gently into the mixture.
• Lay the pieces of cod on top of the lentils, cover the pan and then cook gently over a low heat for 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is tender.
• Serve garnished with chopped coriander leaves and one or two lemon wedges.

SPICED BASMATI RICE WITH LENTILS AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Melt butter in 10-inch-diameter oven-proof nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and stir 1 minute. Cover and cook until onions are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Uncover and sauté until onions are deep golden, about 5 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Spread onions in even layer in same skillet; set aside.
• Meanwhile, cook lentils in pot of boiling water until almost tender but still firm to bite, about 20 minutes. Drain.
• Combine 2 1/2 cups water, cardamom, allspice, bay leaf and salt in heavy medium saucepan; bring to boil. Add rice and lentils; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Discard cardamom, allspice and bay leaf.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Spoon rice mixture atop onions in skillet, pressing with back of spoon to compact rice; smooth top. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cool. Cover and let stand at room temperature.)
• Cover skillet tightly with double layer of foil. Bake rice mixture until heated through, about 35 minutes. Remove foil; let stand 5 minutes. Place plate over skillet; invert skillet, releasing rice and onions onto plate and scraping any onions remaining in skillet onto rice. Spoon rice and onions onto plates and serve.

SPICED LENTILS WITH LEEKS

Steps:

• Brown 1 bunch leeks (halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise) in 3 tablespoons olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat, 7 to 8 minutes; add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Add 3/4 cup dried brown or green lentils, 3 cups water, 1 bay leaf, 1 star anise pod and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Simmer, partially covered, until the lentils are soft, 25 to 30 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and star anise. Season with salt, top with mint and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with lime wedges.

SPICED YELLOW LENTILS WITH QUINOA

Steps:

• Rinse the quinoa thoroughly and combine with the water and salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer 15 to 20 minutes, until the white quinoa displays a little white spiral. Turn off the heat, remove the lid and place a dish towel over the top of the pot. Return the lid and let sit for 15 minutes. The quinoa will now be fluffy. Keep warm.
• Meanwhile, combine the lentils, ginger, turmeric and onion half (don't chop it) with 1 quart water and salt to taste (about 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons) and bring to a gentle boil. Stir only once to make sure there are no lentils sticking to the bottom of the pot. Reduce the heat to medium - the lentils should simmer briskly - and cook uncovered until the lentils are tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Stir in the lime juice or tamarind concentrate and add another 1/2 cup water. Stir together and simmer for another minute. Turn off the heat and using an immersion blender, an Indian mathani (a wooden tool used for mashing dal) or a wooden Mexican hot chocolate mixer, partially pureé the dal. It should be thick but not like a pureed soup.
• Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a small saucepan or small frying pan (such as an 8-inch omelet pan). Add the cumin seeds and allow to sizzle, stirring, for 10 seconds. Add the garlic and cook until lightly colored, about 15 seconds. Add the red pepper and cook until slightly softened, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat and pour over the lentils. Add the cayenne pepper and 1 tablespoon of the cilantro and stir gently. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Serve the quinoa with the dal spooned on top. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

INDIAN-SPICED CHICKEN WITH LENTILS AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Fit baking sheet with a wire rack; spray rack with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
• Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Add lentils and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, partially covered, until tender, about 25 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine 2 teaspoons salt, 4 teaspoons freshly ground pepper, and 4 teaspoons curry powder. Carefully loosen chicken skin from flesh by sliding forefinger under skin. Season chicken flesh and skin over with curry mixture and place on prepared rack. Transfer to oven and roast until crispy and golden, about 20 minutes.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onions and 1 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until deep golden brown, about 15 minutes. Add remaining 2 teaspoons curry powder; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add vinegar, 1/2 cup water, lentils, and garbanzo beans; stir to combine. Cook until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with sesame stick and cilantro leaves.
• Meanwhile, mix together yogurt and cucumber; season with salt and pepper. Divide lentils and chicken evenly among four plates; serve immediately with cucumber mixture, chermoula, and pita.

SPICED PINEAPPLE LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a medium pot over moderate heat. Saute the onions with the salt and pepper until golden, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and lentils and cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Pour in the water, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, covered, 45 minutes. Stir in the pineapple, remove from the heat and serve.

SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• Bring first 4 ingredients and 1 tablespoon oil to boil in large saucepan. Reduce heat to medium; simmer uncovered until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes. Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until brown, about 18 minutes. Mix in chili powder and cloves; stir 1 minute.
• Stir onion mixture into lentils. Season with pepper. Transfer to bowl. Sprinkle with curry powder, then cilantro.

SPICED PORK WITH CELERY ROOT PURéE AND LENTILS

Steps:

• For celery root puree:
• Bring celery root and milk to boil in heavy large saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until celery root is very tender, about 20 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer celery root to processor. Add 1/2 cup hot milk. Puree until very smooth. Blend in butter and lemon juice. Season with salt and white pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• For lentils:
• Sauté bacon in medium saucepan over medium-high heat until crisp, about 3 minutes. Add carrots, shallots, and rosemary; sauté until shallots begin to soften, about 1 minute. Add lentils and 3 cups water; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until lentils are tender and liquid has nearly evaporated, about 35 minutes. Stir in butter. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.)
• For pork:
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Whisk first 4 ingredients in bowl. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add pork; sauté until brown on all sides, about 6 minutes total. Brush pork with honey mixture. Transfer skillet to oven; roast pork 10 minutes. Turn pork over and brush with honey mixture. Roast until thermometer inserted into center of pork registers 145°F, about 10 minutes longer. Transfer pork to work surface; tent with foil (temperature will increase 5 degrees).
• Add broth and remaining honey mixture to same skillet. Boil over high heat until sauce is reduced to 3/4 cup, about 5 minutes. Strain sauce into small bowl. Return sauce to skillet. Whisk in butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• Rewarm celery root puree and lentils. Cut pork crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place 1/2 cup celery root puree in center of each of 6 plates. Using back of spoon, make indentation in puree. Spoon 1/2 cup lentils into indentation on each plate. Arrange pork slices atop lentils and drizzle with sauce.

WARM SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, cover lentils by 2 inches of water and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer until just tender, about 25 minutes. Drain well.
• In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat.
• Cook onion for 5 minutes.
• Add garlic, 2/3 of tomatoes, cucumber, cumin, ginger, paprika and cayenne.
• Cook, stirring for 3 minutes.
• Add parsley and lentils, stir for 2 minutes.
• Season with lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
• Fold in remaining tomatoes and garnish with feta cheese.

WARM SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• Place lentils in a large saucepan, and cover with water to 2 inches above lentils. Stud whole onion with cloves. Add studded onion, bay leaves, and rind to pan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until lentils are just tender. Drain well. Discard onion, bay leaves, and rind. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chopped red onion; cook 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomato and the next 6 ingredients (through garlic); cook 2 minutes. Stir in lentils, cilantro, and parsley; cook 2 minutes. Stir in juice, salt, and black pepper. Serve warm with lemon wedges. Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 1/3 cup lentil mixture and 1 lemon wedge)

SEARED TUNA ON SPICED LENTILS SALSA

Steps:

• Cook the lentils in salted water for 15-20 minutes or until they are tender. Drain and cool them. Place the chilli and ginger in a pan with the onion, garlic, ground cumin and seeds, water and balsamic vinegar and simmer with a lid on for a few minutes, stirring well so that all the flavours infuse. Remove the mixture from the heat and pour into a bowl with the drained lentils. Add the soy sauce, ketchup and chilli sauce, stir well and gradually add the olive oil and chopped coriander. Season with salt and pepper, cover and leave in the refrigerator overnight (if time allows). Season the pieces of tuna and cook them on a griddle pan or heavy-bottomed frying pan for 2 minutes on each side. The ideal way to eat tuna is rare, otherwise it becomes dry. Once cooked, serve the tuna on warmed plates with a couple of spoonfuls of lentils and some salad leaves, such as rocket, lightly dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

SPICED LENTILS AND POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes or until lentils are tender. Drain; discard bay leaf. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil to pan; swirl to coat. Add onion and tomato; sauté 8 minutes or until onion is tender. Add curry, cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, red pepper, and garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add lentils; cook 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add water to a large skillet, filling two-thirds full; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer. Add vinegar to pan. Break eggs into custard cups. Gently pour eggs into pan; cook 3 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Carefully remove eggs from pan using a slotted spoon. Place about 3/4 cup lentil mixture on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 poached egg. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Top each serving with 1 tablespoon yogurt and 1 1/2 teaspoons cilantro.