use real butter

Recipe: braised beluga lentils

I was the featured food blogger on Pratico Goods a few weeks ago. You can read the interview here.

We’re off to a good start with early August rains. Not only are we getting moisture for the mountains, but it does a nice job of cooling down the atmosphere. Early mornings can be pleasantly chilly, which is perfect for trail runs or hikes. Last week I noticed some yellow aspen leaves on the ground. The trees are still a sea of deep summer green, but tiny flickers of gold leaves are beginning to appear in discreet clusters. I know autumn is still weeks out, but I’m excited for the change in seasons.

views like this make the trail run worth it

dew drops on a yellow aspen leaf

happy neva on her hike

a young moose right next to the trail

clouds hanging low over the ten mile range

We’re in Crested Butte at the moment, turning a pile of cardboard boxes into assembled IKEA cabinets. It’s been raining more consistently in Crested Butte such that we’re finding random mushrooms growing in our yard. That’s always a good sign of things to come. On the trail this morning, I found my first serviceberries or saskatoon berries. They aren’t nearly as tasty as huckleberries, but the berries are much larger with a flavor like a cross between an apple and a blueberry – mostly sweet and not tart. Serviceberries have a somewhat mushy, seedy texture. Most weren’t ripe yet, but I can’t wait to try some recipes when they do ripen!

some pretty leccinum were flushing on the trail

serviceberries in various stages of ripeness

It’s always great fun to find something new to forage, but I’m just as stoked to discover a new ingredient. I recently enjoyed Beluga or black lentils at a restaurant and immediately searched for a recipe to prepare them at home. Black lentils are the tiniest of lentils and look like caviar – hence the name Beluga.

celery, carrot, onion, parsley, salt, pepper, olive oil, chicken broth, black lentils, champagne vinegar, butter, thyme

rinse the lentils

dice the vegetables

I chose this recipe because it comes from my friend, John, at Food Wishes and because it had rave reviews. What I love is how quickly they cook without any soaking. You can soak them if you like, but I’ve cooked them soaked and unsoaked with similar results. It starts with sautéing a mirepoix (carrots, celery, onion) until the onions are soft and translucent.

mise en place

melt the butter and olive oil

add the vegetables

sauté

When the vegetables are cooked, stir in the thyme and season with salt and pepper. Add the lentils and stir them into the vegetables until they are all coated in the oil. Then add chicken stock. I use homemade chicken stock from roasted chicken carcasses, which lends some extra rich flavor to the lentils. I’ve tried simmering the lentils covered and uncovered, but both ways seem to work just fine. If you like the extra liquid with your lentils, then keep them covered. If you prefer just the lentils, leave the saucepan uncovered to let the liquid boil off. When the lentils are tender, they are ready. Finish the lentils with some champagne vinegar (but almost any vinegar will work) and parsley.

add thyme, lentils, and salt and pepper to the cooked vegetables

stir in chicken broth and simmer

remove the thyme sprigs when the lentils are cooked

finish with vinegar and parsley

earthy, nutty lentils

Not only was this recipe easy, it was delicious and so rich in flavors. I have made four batches in two weeks, although one batch was for my parents who are also big fans of this dish. The lentils reheat nicely for a quick meal or you can serve them as a side with roast chicken, pork chops, lamb, beef, seafood, you name it. I pan-seared scallops to serve on top of the lentils the first time and it was such a terrific combination. You could make the lentils ahead for dinner parties, too. I can see this one getting heavy rotation in the cold weather months!

seared scallops on a bed of lentils

a main course for one or an appetizer to share

the lentils contrast nicely with bright edible flowers

Braised Beluga Lentils
[print recipe]
from Food Wishes

1 cup beluga or black lentils
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup onion, 1/4-inch dice
1/2 cup celery, 1/4-inch dice
1/2 cup carrot, 1/4-inch dice
6 sprigs fresh thyme
salt
fresh ground pepper
2 cups chicken stock
1 tbsp champagne vinegar to taste
2 tbsps Italian (flat-leaf) parsley, chopped

Pick over the lentils and remove any errant rocks or random grains. Rinse the lentils with water (you can soak them for a few hours, but it isn’t necessary) and drain. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat until the butter melts. Sauté the onion, celery, and carrot in the hot oil until the onions become soft and translucent (about 6 minutes). Stir in the thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir the lentils into the vegetables until they are well-coated in the oils. Pour the chicken stock into the pan.

Bring the liquid to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook the lentils for about 30 minutes until tender. If you don’t want much liquid in the lentils, then leave the cover off and cook until the lentils are tender and the liquid has been absorbed – about 30 minutes. Either way, check on the lentils periodically during cooking to make sure the liquid hasn’t boiled away completely before the lentils are done. Remove from heat, pick out the thyme (discard), and stir in the vinegar and parsley. Season with more salt and pepper to taste. Serves 4-6.

more goodness from the use real butter archives

braised lamb shanks with lentils

lentil soup

warm lentil salad with sausage

indian dal

August 7th, 2016: 11:59 pm
filed under appetizers, braising, dinner, gluten-free, legumes, recipes, savory, vegetables