Description
Warm French Lentils showcase Ina Garten’s elegant French countryside cooking with a hearty, rustic dish. Delicate lentils mingle with aromatic vegetables and a classic vinaigrette, offering you a comforting taste of Provence.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup French green Le Puy lentils
- 1 whole onion, peeled and stuck with 6 whole cloves
- 1 white turnip, cut in half
- 2 carrots, scraped and ½-inch-diced
- 1 leek, white and light green parts, sliced ¼ inch thick
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) plus ¼ cup (60 ml) good olive oil
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) kosher salt
- 1 tsp (5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp (5 ml) minced garlic
- 4 tsps (20 ml) Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp (5 ml) unsalted butter
Instructions
- Vegetable Preparation: Sauté leeks, carrots, and garlic in olive oil over medium heat until softened and aromatic, creating a flavor foundation for the lentils.
- Lentil Cooking: Combine lentils with water, clove-studded onion, and turnip in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer, incorporating the sautéed vegetables. Cook uncovered until lentils are nearly tender, approximately 20 minutes.
- Lentil Finishing: Discard onion and turnip. Drain lentils and transfer to a mixing bowl. Fold in butter, allowing it to melt and coat the lentils thoroughly, creating a rich, velvety texture.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk olive oil, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until seamlessly blended, developing a vibrant and tangy vinaigrette.
- Final Assembly: Drizzle the dressing over warm lentils, gently stirring to ensure even distribution. Let the mixture rest for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and intensify.
- Seasoning and Serving: Conduct a final taste assessment, making subtle salt and pepper adjustments. Serve warm or slightly cool, showcasing the lentils’ complex flavor profile and versatile nature.
Notes
- Enhance Vegetable Flavor: Sauté leeks and carrots slowly to develop a deeper, richer taste profile before adding to lentils.
- Perfect Lentil Texture: Monitor cooking time closely to achieve an almost tender consistency without becoming mushy or overcooked.
- Butter Coating Technique: Allow warm butter to melt gently into lentils, creating a silky, luxurious texture that enhances overall dish smoothness.
- Resting Time Matters: Let the dressed lentils sit for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify, transforming a simple dish into a complex culinary experience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg