Savory Garlic & Onion Green Lentils
Savor the delightful combination of hearty green lentils with aromatic garlic and onion in this easy-to-follow recipe adapted from Madhur Jaffrey's 'Indian Cooking.' This dish is not only nutritious but also incredibly versatile, making it perfect for any meal—served warm, cold, or at room temperature. Rich in flavor and texture, it becomes a fantastic addition to your vegetarian repertoire, whether enjoyed as a main course, filling side, or even as a refreshing salad base. Feel free to double or triple the recipe to serve a larger gathering. For an extra depth of flavor, consider substituting water with chicken or vegetable broth.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil or ghee
4 tablespoons (Liquid fat for sautéing)
whole cumin seed
1/2 teaspoon (Whole spice)
garlic cloves
4 cloves (Chopped)
medium onion
1 (Chopped)
whole green lentils
1 cup (Washed and drained)
water
3 cups (Liquid for cooking)
salt
1 teaspoon (Seasoning)
cayenne
1/4 teaspoon (Spice for heat)
Instructions
1
In a heavy pot, heat the vegetable oil or ghee over medium heat. Once hot, add the whole cumin seeds and sauté them for a few seconds until they become fragrant.
2
Add the chopped garlic to the pot and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until the garlic turns a medium brown color.
3
Introduce the chopped onion to the pot and continue to sauté for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the onion starts to brown at the edges.
4
Stir in the washed and drained green lentils, ensuring they are well-coated with the aromatic mixture.
5
Pour in the water, raise the heat, and bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for about 50-60 minutes or until the lentils are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
6
Carefully monitor the liquid during cooking to prevent the lentils from becoming too solid.
7
Once the lentils are cooked, add the salt and cayenne, stirring well to combine. Let it simmer gently for an extra 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
8
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled, and enjoy this nutritious dish in a variety of ways.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is called Savory Garlic & Onion Green Lentils.
Whose work inspired this lentil dish?
This recipe is adapted from Madhur Jaffrey's book 'Indian Cooking'.
Is this recipe suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Yes, it is specifically described as a fantastic addition to a vegetarian repertoire.
Can this dish be made vegan?
Yes, the dish is vegan as long as you use vegetable oil instead of ghee.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as gluten-free.
What type of lentils are used?
The recipe calls for one cup of whole green lentils.
How much garlic is required?
You will need 4 cloves of chopped garlic.
What is the recommended cooking fat?
You can use 4 tablespoons of either vegetable oil or ghee.
How much cumin seed is used?
The recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of whole cumin seeds.
How long should the garlic be sautéed?
The garlic should be stir-fried for about 2-3 minutes until it turns a medium brown color.
What is the preparation for the onion?
One medium onion should be chopped and sautéed for 5-7 minutes.
How much water is needed for 1 cup of lentils?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of water.
Can I use something other than water to cook the lentils?
Yes, you can substitute water with chicken or vegetable broth for extra depth of flavor.
How long do the lentils need to simmer?
They should simmer for approximately 50-60 minutes until tender.
When should I add the salt and cayenne?
Add the salt and cayenne once the lentils are fully cooked and tender.
What is the suggested serving temperature?
This dish can be served warm, cold, or at room temperature.
How much salt is included in the recipe?
The recipe specifies 1 teaspoon of salt.
How much cayenne pepper should be added?
Use 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne for seasoning.
Should the lentils be washed before cooking?
Yes, the lentils should be washed and drained before being added to the pot.
What type of pot is recommended?
A heavy pot is recommended for heating the oil and cooking the lentils.
Can this recipe be scaled up for a crowd?
Yes, you can easily double or triple the recipe to serve a larger gathering.
What should I do after adding the salt and cayenne?
After adding the spices, let the mixture simmer gently for an extra 5 minutes to let flavors meld.
What is the purpose of the cumin seeds?
Whole cumin seeds are sautéed at the beginning until fragrant to provide an aromatic base.
Can this dish be used as a salad?
Yes, it is noted as being a refreshing salad base when chilled.
What should I watch for while the lentils simmer?
Monitor the liquid level to prevent the lentils from becoming too solid or burning.
Is this dish considered comfort food?
Yes, 'comfort food' is one of the tags associated with this recipe.
What color should the onions be?
The onions should be sautéed until they start to brown at the edges.
Does this recipe contain cholesterol?
Based on the provided data, the cholesterol content is listed as null (though ghee contains cholesterol).
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 8 ingredients in total.
Is this a quick recipe?
While it takes about an hour to cook, it is tagged as a 'quick recipe' likely due to the simple preparation steps.