Lentil Ragout Recipes

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, heat oil and cook onion and garlic together for 7 to 8 minutes.
• Add lentils, broth, parsley, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper to saucepan. Simmer 20 minutes.
• Slice turnips in half and cut carrots into 2-inch lengths. Cut green onions into 1-inch pieces.
• Add turnips and carrots to saucepan and cook 10 minutes.
• Add peas and green onions and cook for 5 minutes more.

Steps:

• Put the lentils and turmeric in a deep pot. Add 3 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cook lentils, gently simmering, partially covered, until cooked but still hold their shape, about 30 minutes. Stir a few times during cooking to ensure the lentils are not sticking to the pan and burning. Add more water if necessary. Add squash, tomatoes, onions and curry powder and mix well. Cook for 10 minutes or until the vegetables and lentils are tender. Stir in the nuts and salt; cover and set aside. Heat the ghee or oil in a small frying pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add cumin and cook until the spice turns several shades darker. Add asafetida and crushed pepper. Let spices sizzle for a minute then put the entire contents of the pan over the lentil-vegetable mixture. Add coriander and stir just a few times to mix lightly. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve with deep fried balloon bread.
• Heat stick of butter in a small saucepan over low-heat until fully melted, 5 minutes. Increase heat and cook the butter until all its moisture evaporates and the milk solids turn brown, and the clear fat will turn golden amber, about 5 minutes. Strain the clear fat usli ghee into a jar.

Steps:

• Combine first 7 ingredients in heavy medium saucepan. Simmer until lentils are just tender, about 25 minutes (mixture will be soupy). Remove from heat.
• Heat oil in large deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to skillet; cook until brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate. Add pearl onions to skillet; sauté until golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to plate with chicken. Add wine to skillet; boil until reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add lentil mixture, chicken, onions and vinegar. Cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Steps:

• Heat the 2 tbsp oil in a large sauté pan. Add the celery, carrots, garlic and onions, and fry for 4-5 mins over a high heat to soften and start to colour. Add the mushrooms and fry for 2 mins more.
• Stir in the lentils, passata, bouillon, oregano and balsamic vinegar. Cover the pan and leave to simmer for 30 mins until the lentils are tender and pulpy. Check occasionally and stir to make sure the mixture isn't sticking to the bottom of the pan; if it does, add a drop of water.
• To serve, heat the remaining oil in a separate frying pan, add the courgette and stir-fry briefly to soften and warm through. Serve half the ragu with the courgetti and chill the rest to eat on another day. Can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Steps:

• Mix the venison with the vinegar and two tablespoons of the olive oil. Allow to marinate for two hours.
• Heat two tablespoons of the olive oil in a heavy casserole. Add the onion, saute until it begins to soften, then add the mushrooms and carrot and saute about six minutes longer. Stir in the garlic.
• Add the wine, water, thyme, pepper, lentils and the venison with the marinade. Bring to a simmer, cover and allow to simmer for about one hour, until the lentils and the venison are tender. Stir in the beef stock and continue to cook about 20 minutes longer, until the stock is absorbed. Season to taste with salt and serve.

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the onions, carrots, celery and garlic. Cook gently for 15-20 mins until everything is softened. Stir in the lentils, chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, herbs and stock. Bring to a simmer, then cook for 40-50 mins until the lentils are tender and saucy - splash in water if you need. Season.
• If eating straight away, keep on a low heat while you cook the spaghetti, following pack instructions. Drain well, divide between pasta bowls or plates, spoon sauce over the top and grate over some cheese. Alternatively, cool the sauce and chill for up to 3 days. Or freeze for up to 3 months. Simply defrost portions overnight at room temperature, then reheat gently to serve.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Lay the carrots in a roasting pan and toss with 3 tablespoons oil. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper. Roast for 20 minutes. Turn the carrots, add the onion and roast 15 minutes, until the carrots are brown and tender. When carrots are cool enough, cut them in 1/4-inch dice.
• Warm 2 tablespoons oil in a saucepan. Add the carrot-and-onion mixture, the chili powders and the cayenne pepper. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in the lentils. Add the stock and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes, until the lentils are falling apart. Season with remaining salt and pepper to taste. Serve with rice, or as a thick soup.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350º.
• Meatballs: In a bowl, combine the turkey, bread crumbs, half the garlic, 3 Tsp of mint, parsley, paprika, cumin, cloves, cayenne, the 3/4 teaspoons salt and the 1/2 tsp black pepper. Mix well. Divide the mixture into 24 equal portions and form each into a meatball. Place on a baking sheet (cover with foil to speed clean up) and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
• Meanwhile, remove and discard any damaged lentils or stones. Rinse the lentils. Set aside. (Soaking lentils in water will speed up their cooking time. If you do, drain them before cooking).
• In a large saute pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion, carrot and the remaining garlic and saute, stirring until the onion is soft, about 10 minutes. Add the lentils, 1 cup of the reserved tomato juice and the chicken stock and simmer gently, uncovered, until the lentils are tender, about 20 minutes longer. Keep tasting the lentils to make sure they are cooked enough.
• Chop enough tomatoes to measure 1 cup; reserve the remaining tomatoes for another meal. Add the meatballs and chopped tomatoes to the lentils and simmer for 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, or increase the heat by adding more cayenne (or hot paprika if you have some).
• Ladle into bowls, garnish with remaining 5 Tblsps of mint (or parsley) and serve.