Tag Archives: lentils

Soups and Stews

Sausage and Lentil Soup

Lentils are classed as pulses or legumes, the seeds or dried fruits of which are edible by humans and/or livestock. Beans, peanuts, peas, and even tamarinds are all legumes.

Lentils can be yellow, red, green, brown, and black, and they figure largely in the cuisine of India, although Canada, apparently, is the largest exporter of lentils in the world (see Lentil, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lentil&oldid=706147808 (last visited Apr. 1, 2016).)

Ingredients for Sausage and Lentil Soup

  • 1/2 lb. Italian sausage, cooked
  • 1 large onion. chopped
  • 1 small green pepper. chopped
  • 1 small carrot, chopped
  • 1 large clove garlic
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 lb. tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 cup water
  • 3/4 cup lentils
  • 1/2 cup Dijon mustard

Preparing Sausage and Lentil Soup

In a 4-quart saucepan, combine all ingredients except mustard. Simmer for 1-1/2 hours. Mix in mustard and serve. Add additional broth or water if necessary.

Servings: 4

Vegan Version of Sausageless Lentil Soup:

Omit the sausage, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth, and you’re done!

Meatless Main Dishes

Lentils with Noodles (Rishta)

Lentils with Noodles, or Rishta,  is a Middle-eastern dish that can be served as a one-dish meal or as a side dish with meats, other vegetables, or salads. The aroma and favor of the crushed coriander seeds gives an exotic touch to what otherwise might be a very plain dish. It is very filling and satisfying.

lentils with noodles (rishta)

Rishta / Lentils with Noodles Ingredients

  • 1/2 – 3/4 lb. lentils
  • Salt
  • 2 onions, finely chopped
  • Olive oil
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp. ground coriander seeds
  • black pepper
  • 3/4 lb. noodles or tagliatelle
  • 2 T butter

Cook lentils in salted water to cover until soft and water is absorbed. Drain thoroughly.

Fry onions in 1 T oil until golden. Add garlic and coriander, and continue to fry gently for 2 minutes until coriander releases its fragrance. Add to the lentils and season with salt and pepper.

Cook noodles in boiling, salted water until just tender. Drain and add to lentils. Stir in butter and mix well.

Vegan version

Omit the butter. I enjoy the flavor of 1-2 T of nutritional yeast added to the final dish in place of the butter.