Sometimes simple does it. These French-style lentils use just a few ingredients to create a flavourful and nutritious plant-based meal that's easy on the pocket.
As a long-time lentil lover, I'm often surprised by how many people don't eat them. A lot of people I talk to seem to regard lentils with a bit of suspicion and scepticism as a highly stereotypical vegetarian food. I think that attitude is seriously misplaced, and we should all eat more of them.
Why should we eat lentils?
Lentils are cheap and highly nutritious - they're high in protein and fibre, low in calories, and a good source of other nutrients too (Source: Healthline).
Lentils are really versatile - they don't need soaking like other legumes, making them quick and easy to cook, and with varying herbs and spices they can take you from Marseilles to Mumbai.
Lentils are cheap - consider that you could probably feed a whole family a lentil-based meal for under $5.
Lentils (and pulses in general) are sustainable - they're a low carbon source of protein and have a positive impact on soil health, contributing to food stability in developing nations. (Source: International Year of Pulses).
An easy lentil recipe to get you started
I use lentils in all sorts of things - salads, bolognese sauce, loaf, pie and one of my favourites - with eggplant. But one of the first lentil recipes I learned, and have made countless times, is this very simple recipe for French green lentils (or puy lentils) which stay firm when cooked and have a robust, earthy flavour.
This lentil dish starts with a traditional mirepoix base of onion, carrot and celery. Garlic, rosemary, puy lentils, vegetable stock and bay leaves are added, then simmered until the lentils are tender.
The end result is a savoury, warming pot of tender lentils that are wet but not soupy - perfect served with roast vegetables, a hunk of sourdough or our family favourite - mashed potatoes.
Think of this as the perfect starter recipe to get comfortable with lentils.
Get the recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 3 sticks celery finely chopped
- 1 large carrot finely chopped
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary finely chopped (about 2 tbsp)
- 1 cup puy or green lentils (dry/uncooked)
- 1 litre vegetable stock
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat olive oil in a deep saucepan. Add onion, celery and carrot. Cook over medium heat for 5-10 minutes until everything is tender and starting to colour. Add garlic and rosemary and cook for another few minutes until fragrant.
- Add lentils, vegetable stock and bay leaves. Simmer over a low heat for about 20-25 minutes, until the lentils are tender but still holding their shape. Keep an eye on them during cooking, stirring occasionally, and add a little more water if necessary to prevent the lentils from drying out or sticking to the pan. You want to end up with lentils and vegetables that are tender, with a little liquid surrounding them - but you don't want soup.
- Discard bay leaves before serving. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste.
RECIPE NOTES
- If you're a spice lover, try adding a pinch or two of chilli flakes.
- Recipe first published on 24 June 2015. Updated and republished on 26 July 2020.
Monica E
I LOVE this recipe. The only tweak I do is reduce the liquid by approximately 1/3. Mine too was way too runny the first time I made this.
Amber
Thanks Monica, I guess there's a bit of variation in lentils and how much liquid they absorb. This recipe always comes out perfect for me! Glad you enjoy this, it's a family favourite here.
Stephanie Deacon
Can i use red lentils instead of green?
Amber
Sorry Stephanie, red and green lentils behave very differently when cooked. Red lentils will turn mushy (great for dal or times when you want the lentils to disappear). Green lentils remain a little firm and are the ones to use for this recipe.
Carol O'Shea
I am halfway through making your recipe for fried lentils with harissa cauliflower which was published in the latest edition of Nourish magazine. I used sunflower oil and it took a lot. With the horrendous cost of all oils at present I am wondering if I can reuse this oil which appears to have separated to some degree after frying the lentils.
Amber
Hi Carol, sorry I missed this comment until now. I'll be sharing that recipe here soon. Yes I filter the oil through either a paper or thin (clean) kitchen cloth and a sieve, then reuse. The price of oil is horrendous! The oil itself doesn't separate, but there is sediment in it from the lentils that needs to be strained out.
Olga
It doesn't say to cook lentils with covered lid or not. I covered it, and ended to cook my lentils for an hour, instead 25 min. Even than, they came out too liquid. Next time I will try to cook them with open lid, or put less water. Also, it doesn't say how much salt should be used. I understand, everyone use different amount of salt. But at least approximate amount should be mentioned. Other than that, lentils taste delicious.
Libby Johnson
Hi, As a rule of thumb in cooking - when a recipe does NOT say to cover... you don't go ahead and cover?... Also, as you should always taste, taste, taste when cooking you add salt TO YOUR OWN TASTE (as the recipe does state?)
Nicky
I love this recipe and so does my daughter, it’s become one of my statement dishes. So quick, easy and tasty.
Amber
Fantastic Nicky, it's such a reliable classic isn't it 🙂
aspoonfulofnature
these look delicious!!
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
geminibec17
Delicious!