Warm French Lentils Recipes

Steps:

• Place a large saucepan over medium heat and add oil. When hot, add chopped vegetables and sauté until softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add 6 cups water, lentils, thyme, bay leaves and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a fast simmer.
• Simmer lentils until they are tender and have absorbed most of the water, 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, drain any excess water after lentils have cooked. Serve immediately, or allow them to cool and reheat later.

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring the lentils, 3 cups of water, and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 30 minutes, until the lentils are tender but not mushy.
• Meanwhile, rinse, drain, and chop the escarole (about 6 cups). To prepare the fennel bulb, remove the outer layers if bruised or soft. Cut in half lengthwise, remove the hard core, and thinly slice (about 2 cups).
• In a large skillet, heat the oil and sauté the garlic, ground fennel, and thyme for a few seconds. Add the fresh fennel and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir-fry on high heat for about 2 minutes. Stir in the escarole and cook for another 2 minutes or so, until softened but still crisp and bright. Remove from the heat and drain any excess liquid into the cooking lentils.
• When the lentils are done, drain them. Stir the drained lentils into the escarole mixture. Serve the salad warm or at room temperature, topped with the walnuts. Decorate with lemon wedges, or offer vinegar at the table.
• In place of fresh fennel, use 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced celery.
• French lentils (also called du Puy lentils) are small and dark. They cook quickly and hold their shape nicely. Look for French lentils where other lentils are sold in your market.
• Decorate French Lentil Salad with tomato wedges and chèvre or feta. Serve with Asparagus Avgolemono (page 130) and crusty French or Italian bread with good olive oil for dipping.