Easy French Lentils With Garlic and Herbs Recipe

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Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • Adding aromatics and woodsy herbs to the lentil cooking pot adds subtle layers of sweet vegetal complexity to the beans.
  • Salting the lentil water helps the lentils cook evenly and hold their shape, while seasoning them throughout.
  • Finishing the lentils with butter and wine vinegar adds both luxurious richness and a bright punch.

With the right technique, these simple, earthy lentils shine bright with layers of complex flavor. The secret is using the right aromatics and herbs, and then enriching it all with butter and vinegar.

Recipe Facts

Active:30 mins
Total:45 mins
Serves:4 to 6 servings

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For the Lentils:

  • 1 cup (7 ounces;200g)French Le Puy Lentils, picked over for stones

  • 1mediumcarrot, trimmed and peeled

  • 1mediumyellow onion, halved through the root

  • 1mediumrib celery

  • 2mediumcloves garlic

  • 2 or 3sprigsrosemary, thyme, or sage (or some combination)

  • Kosher salt

To Finish:

  • 2tablespoonsunsalted butter

  • 1/2 pound (225g) veryfinely dicedcombination of shallot, carrot, celery, and turnip (from about 3/4 pound/340g totalvegetables)

  • Red wine vinegar, to taste

  • Kosher saltand freshly ground black pepper

  • Smallhandfulminced flat-leaf parsleyleaves and tender stems

Directions

  1. For the Lentils:在一个large saucepan, combine lentils with carrot, onion, and celery. Tie garlic cloves and herbs into a cheesecloth sachet and add to pot. Cover lentils with at least 2 inches of water, season generously with salt (the water should taste as salty as you like your food to be), and set over medium heat.

  2. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to medium-low and cook at a bare simmer until lentils are just tender enough that you can smash one against the roof of your mouth with your tongue, about 25 minutes (begin checking around 15 minutes, then continue checking until lentils are perfectly cooked).

  3. Add a handful of ice cubes or a generous splash of cold water to the bean pot to lower the water's temperature and halt cooking. The lentils can be refrigerated in their cooking liquid at this point for up to 2 days before continuing with recipe. Discard carrot, onion, celery, and herb sachet before continuing.

  4. To Finish:在一个large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat until foaming. Add finely diced vegetables and cook, stirring, until barely tender, about 2 minutes. Add drained lentils along with just enough of their cooking liquid (about 1/4 cup) to moisten slightly. Bring to a simmer, then cook until lentils are heated through and enough liquid has evaporated that the lentils are coated in a creamy glaze.

  5. Add vinegar 1 teaspoon at a time until the lentils have a pleasant bright flavor (it should taste like a light contrasting tang, but not strongly sour).

  6. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in parsley and serve warm.

Special equipment

Cheesecloth

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts(per serving)
89 Calories
4g Fat
10g Carbs
4g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4 to 6
Amount per serving
Calories 89
% Daily Value*
Total Fat4g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 12%
Cholesterol12mg 4%
Sodium397mg 17%
Total Carbohydrate10g 3%
Dietary Fiber 3g 12%
总糖1克
Protein4g
Vitamin C 2mg 12%
Calcium 19mg 1%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 176mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)