I hate those “for dummies” books, hence the title of this post. I’m sure you’re not a dummy. I’m sure you’re very smart. I also wonder about the self esteem of people who purchase books that are written “for dummies.”
ANYWAY.
I get asked about lentils, a lot. I choose to believe that these questions stem from the fact I have the ability to make fantastically delicious lentils and that they are not the result of rampant ethnic profiling.
Enough talk. Here’s a recipe that any idiot genius who is too busy being good at other stuff could follow.
Quick Lentil Salad (for Geniuses)
EZPZ Lentil Salad (serves 8)*
*Note that this recipe is not for lentils of a “soupy” consistency
** Also note that this recipe is inspired by a Middle Eastern/Arabic style of cooking not Indian/Pakistani
Ingredients
1 pound (about 3 cups) dried lentils. This recipe works best with whole light brown lentils. (Check this out if you have no idea what I’m talking about).
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
4 scallions, sliced in fine rounded pieces. This means little circles, my little geniuses.
4 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon black pepper… freshly ground for overachievers
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup well packed minced parsley
Directions:
- Put the lentils and about 5 1/2 cups of water in a 4 quart pot with the cumin and about half the salt.
- Bring everything to a boil, then cover and simmer gently for about 25 minutes. Remove the cover, make sure that most of the water has boiled off, and that the lentils are softened. Remove them from heat and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the remaining salt, lemon juice, black pepper, olive oil, parsley and scallions.
- One the lentils are lukewarm, pour the mixture in #3 over them and SLOWLY combine everything. If you stir to vigorously, you risk end up with a delicious, yet unappetizing mushy mess.
- Feel free to improvise by adding split cherry tomatoes, finely diced celery, or shredded carrot.
- You can serve immediately OR refrigerate for for several hours before serving. It really depends on whether you want to use it as a salad or a side dish. If you serve it as a salad, you can serve it over a bed of California greens or baby spinach.
Enjoy. Let me know how it turns out.
About Faiqa Khan
I have been eagerly waiting for this post. Thanks!!
Twitter Name: missbritt
Wow, this sounds delicious and truly simple enough for me to accomplish. I am no idiot, but I don’t like to cook and usually don’t know what to do. I am going to try this, though, because I love lentils! (And I’ll be following that lentil FAQ link, for sure.)
Just to clarify, serve warm as a side dish, serve chilled as a salad?
Yummy! Thanks.
Twitter Name: SiobhanWolf
So sorry, I thought I replied to this comment, but I was just browsing over this recipe and realized I hadn’t!! The traditional way to serve this dish is as a chilled “side salad.” That said, I’ve served it warmed (a little more than room temperature) many times with warm pita bread… FANTASTIC. If you want to do it real Aiming Low style, serve warm for dinner, eat cold for lunch the next day. Again, sorry I didn’t reply right away.
Twitter Name: Faiqa
This actually sounds do-able. Although I have never before even considered lentils, let alone eating them, I think I just might just give this a try. Thanks!
That looks really good! I’m trying it this weekend!
Twitter Name: ellemmes
That looks delicious! I get so excited when I see recipes for things that don’t include garlic I almost can’t contain myself (I’m crazy allergic, and no one ever believes it and has to “test” me – awesome). I’m making this tomorrow.
Twitter Name: christine_9774
Holy balls.
#1- I spent like $6 on groceries for this. Awesome.
#2- Cumin+lemon=get in my mouth
#3- super good. super easy.
Thanks, yo!!!!
Twitter Name: summerlaha
Mmm, I want some of this in front of me RIGHT NOW…but it’s after midnight so I guess I’ll settle for some Oreos.
Twitter Name: izzymom
YUM! I will make this in the next week!
Twitter Name: Yknot
I forgot to add my twitter name.
Twitter Name: Yknot
Added three carrots, a bunch of radishes, extra scallions and lemon juice. Delicious and fresh enough to almost make me believe there isn’t a foot of snow in my front yard. Thanks!
Can you make me some and bring it to me? I’m a business owner, so I don’t have time.
Twitter Name: Avitable