Puy Lentils - any ideas?

carinska

I use them for veggie chilli - bought organic stuff a few times and it was lovely, then realised the ingredients were so simple I could make it myself! I'm sorry I don't know quantities - but the puy lentils are probably the thing there's most of as they are the "meaty" part.

Chopped tomatoes and/or passata
Soaked/tinned - haricot beans, kidney beans
Puy lentils (cook them a wee bit first)
Mushrooms and peppers (softened in oil a wee bit first too)
garlic - as much as you like
chilli powder to taste or chilli seasoning pack
paprika if you like it
black pepper
teaspoon full of sugar.

Bung it all in together, I normally have the pulses bubbling away in the tomatoey stuff, then chuck in the veg etc, season to taste. Yum!

parkside_stroller

Cook the lentils as it states on packet.
Meanwhile make a tomato sauce using passata, garlic, some herbs, onion.
Mix some of the sauce with lentils when they are ready or cook the lentils in stock with some herbs, garlic and a little tomato puree.

Slice some aubergine along the length of the vegetable so that you have long bits which are about 1-2 cm thick. As these pieces are long and relatively flat they will grill well but I cook them on a griddle type frying pan with some olive oil, garlic and herbs. Equally you could griddle them under grill after coating them in oil, herbs and garlic.

You want some nice black marks across them using the griddle to make them more attractive.

Put the lentils on a plate, place aubergine on top then top with a little tomato sauce.

You don't need it but you could add a little cheese on top.

Serve with salad or whatever you think would go with it.

Or if you want to make a curry using puy lentils here is a link to one on bbc website
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/spicybasmatirice_74536.shtml

wouldbeqaulitymoneysaver

I like to cook them with bay leaves, onion, carrot, without salt, for 40 mins on high in microwave, then drain them, generously squige with garlic puree and butter, and dash of chilli oil (olive oil based), serve with beautifully done hard boiled egg done cheffy style.
One can also had chopped coriander, parsley (Waitrose frozen herbs used here) for a touch of green.
One of my favourite ingredients and so versatile.

SIRENS

Hi
I was wondering if anyone could advise me on what to do with puy lentils, i found them in the back of my cuoboard, bought for something i can't remember!
I do cook dahl with red lentils but am not sure what to do with these? I fancy something warming, do i need to soak them, and can i put them in the slow cooker.
If anyone cold point me in the right directions i would be greatful.
Thanks x

aeromint2

Hi Sirens

Have a look at the BBC Good food website.

Fen1

I tend to soak puy if they are a bit elderly. Maybe an hour or two in cold water, then rinse and cook. They'll cook faster and be a bit softer. The problem with puy is that they are meant to have a bit of 'bite' but can easily become a bit hard if they are old.

I make a standard vinagarette with lots of garlic, then pour over the cooked drained hot lentils. The lentils absorb the flavour of the vinagarette. Lovely. Serve warm or cold. On it's own, with cheese, or fish ( nice with lightly fried cod - Jamie Oliver ).

floss2

I do a Nigella recipe with puy lentils and sausages..... I usually cook the lentils till they are soft as I find them easier to digest then.

kittycatface

they are lovely like this with fish
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/2649/cod-with-spicy-puy-lentils.aspx
had it at a restaurant in saltaire near bradford but never tried it at home, you've reminded me to get going on healthy recipes! thanks x

kittycat204

I always use them in chilli to bulk it out and add protein. Love them.

singlestep

I'm trying some of the ideas I've seen here :-) I've had a box lurking in my cupboard unopened all winter.

I was out at a course this evening and, while waiting for it to start, had a salad of puy lentils, roasted root veg, edamame beans, rocket and lemon dressing. Yum. Limited as my abilities are in the kitchen, even I could make something as good or better.