Simple Braised French Lentils – nourishing and comforting and a delicious healthy side dish that pairs well with so many things! Leftovers can be frozen, or repurposed into breakfast or into a salad. With a Video.
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Here’s a simple recipe for Braised French Lentils that comes in so handy this time of year! I don’t know about you, but this week has been all about comfort food. And as odd as it may sound to some, lentils are my comfort food.
It hasn’t always been this way, I remember growing up, vowing to never eat another lentil again, my Egyptian dad cooked them way too often- because they were inexpensive and filling. But strangely, now I crave them, especially when times feel unsettling. They feel so grounding! (For more lentil recipes be sure to look at Our 25 BEST Lentil Recipes!)
This lentil side dish pairs well with so many things. Serve with Roasted Salmon or Simple Baked Chicken or Baked Tofu. These Portobello Mushrooms would also pair nicely.
What I love about this recipe is that the lentils can be repurposed during the week into different meals. Leftovers can be turned into a salad with the addition of fresh veggies and a red wine vinaigrette. Or warm the lentils up for brunch, serve over a piece of sourdough bread with Sauteed Greens and a poached egg and gremolata or leek oil. Or freeze them for later use!
Simple Braised French Lentils | 60-sec video
What type of lentil to use
Here we’re using French Green Lentils (also called Le Puy Lentils), but any small lentil, like black lentils or beluga lentils will work well here too.
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How to braise lentils
For this recipe, you’ll need 1 1/2 cups of French green lentils ( Le Puy) or black lentils (Beluga, caviar lentils). Large brown lentils will take much longer to cook than the recipe calls for and probably a little more liquid.
Step 1: Start with dicing the carrot, onion and celery. Roughly chop the garlic.
Step 2: Saute the onions, celery and carrots for 7-8 minutes.
Step 3: Add the garlic and lentils and saute until the garlic is fragrant.
Step 4: Deglaze with Sherry, or wine of your choosing. Or you can leave this out and add a little red wine vinegar at the end.
Step 5: Add the stock and aromatics- bay leaves and sprigs of thyme.
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Step 6: Then simmer gently, covered over low heat for 25-30 minutes.
The lentils will hold their shape beautifully, and be a flavorful companion dish to whatever else you are serving.
Other recipes you may like:
- 25 Vegan & Vegetarian Side Dishes
- Moroccan Lentil Salad
- Our 25 BEST Lentil Recipes!
- Moroccan Lentil Quinoa Soup
- Healing Lentil Beet Soup
- Vegan Lentil Meatballs with Coconut Curry Sauce
- Instant Pot Lentil Soup
Give these braised lentils a try and let us know what you serve it with, in the comments below!
xoxo,
Sylvia
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