Red Split Lentils

I am going to give you a bunch of recipes for red split lentils. This is one of my all time most favorite foods. They turn into a savory perfect paste of flavor and don’t take super long to cook. You can find red split lentils at Indian groceries, international markets, and Trader Joe’s. Yes, they are way better than the green lentils.

Simple-Ass Lentils

• 1/2 cup red split lentils
• 1 to 1 1/2 cup water or broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Put all the ingredients in a pot. Bring to a boil then simmer on low 20 mins. The end.

Fancy-Ass Lentils

• Some kinda oil, or water if that’s how you saute
• 1 onion chopped
• 2-3 stalks of celery chopped
• Garlic
• 2 carrots chopped
• 1 bell pepper cut into strips
• 1/2 cup red split lentils
• Enough broth or water to cover all the food in the pot
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cut the veggies. Put in a pot with a drizzle of oil or a little water. Start to saute them. Add the lentils. Stir it all around. Cover with enough broth or water to submerge all the food. Bring to a boil then simmer for 20 mins.

Want to get crazy? Add 1/2 cup rice or quinoa to the above dish and cook as long as the grain needs. Add extra water/broth and cook longer if needed. This is a dish I call The Mush.

Spicy-Ass Lentils

• 1 onion chopped
• 1 inch fresh grated ginger
• Garlic
• 1 bell pepper
• Oil or water to saute
• 1 tablespoon berbere spice blend (or 2 if you like it hot)
• 1 cup red split lentils
• 3 cups broth or water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Saute the veggies. Add the spices. Mix it around to heat up the spices so they smell good. Add the lentils. Stir it around. Add broth or water. Bring to a boil then cook 20-30 minutes or until lentils turn to a mush. Add extra oil or butter if you want it really rich. Serve with injera, Ethiopian fermented flat bread.

I’M SERIOUS ABOUT HOW GOOD RED SPLIT LENTILS ARE. EAT THEM.