Carrots and Lentils in Olive Oil Recipe (2024)

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gibby

No-one will see this, but: I LOVED this and will make it again and again. It does not need the sugar. Don't even think of adding it. And halve the oil if you are at all fat- or calorie-conscious. Not necessary at all. I have long used coriander seeds in my lentils, and cherished them for the little surprise hit of flavor. But my lentils always tasted muddy. Who knew they just needed more carrots than I thought necessary plus the acidity of some tomato paste? Great recipe.

MDixon

Delicious!!! I used green lentils, which were just beautiful with the carrots. I skipped the sugar and salt and added less garlic, but otherwise followed the recipe and it worked perfectly for me. Please don't skip the whole coriander seeds and fresh mint--they make the flavor so complex (and if I could find them at my local grocery store, so can you). I did substitute 1 1/2 lbs of pre-washed, crinkle-cut carrot slices to save on the prep time on a weeknight.

AKM

Both my husband and a frequent dinner guest thought this was excellent and suggested it be added to the regular rotation. I used black lentils and the only change I made was to substitute 3/4 teaspoon of ground coriander in place of coriander seeds.

ET

Even as a lover of lentils and vegan recipes in general, I thought this was disappointingly bland. I added a generous shake of red pepper flakes with the onion, added chopped cilantro and parsley along with the mint, topped the finished dish with Sriracha and finishing salt, and finally reached for some crumbled feta. It still just needed more.

Also, my husband and I tried it at room temperature, laughed, then got up and nuked our plates.

koszyczek

Added stock instead of water. Also, substituted biber salçası for tomato paste. Biber salçası is a red pepper paste, it can be mild or spicy. Mine is spicy. Skipped the sugar as the carrots added enough of sweetness. Skipped the fresh mint, just crumbled dried leaves during cooking.

Stella

I can't tell if half of the comments here are some sort of inside joke or not. For me though, I did not swap out anything, merely followed the recipe as you would any recipe, and the dish turned out totally fine. The lentils are cooked through and the flavor is mild and well-balanced. It is not a fancy dish, just very very tasty.

NBMaggie

Coriander is a critical part of the lovely flavour of this dish but whole seed hulls are disconcertingly out of place in the mouth so I've subbed ground coriander.

ML

Delicious! Skipped the tomato paste water because I didn't have any atm and only used half the amount of sugar, but you can skip it altogether, the carrots add enough sweetness. I added a bit of cinnamon and red pepper because I felt like it needed a little more spice, but for those who prefer less spicy foods it's probably perfect as is. Really loved the combination of coriander and fresh mint and will definitely make this again!

Gary

I had to cook this about 30 minutes longer than recipe. Maybe too cautious on heat, but nobody likes cry nchy lentils. Flavor is good, not to spicy. Maybe plop some sour cream or tickle the flavor at the end with some vinegar.

Alicia

Did not have enough carrots so I did half/half with sliced fennel and delicious.

Isa

This was simple but satisfying, and good for leftovers. Use lentils that keep their shape (I used black lentils) and don't skip the mint and coriander seeds. The one tweak I recommend is a splash of acid before serving.

Juin

Why put sugar in this dish? Not needed at all.

Ralph

yummy w/o mint (forgot).

Alyssa

I didn't have coriander seeds, so I used Penzey's Vindaloo spice mix, added with the garlic and carrots instead of with the onions. I also used about half carrots, and half chopped sweet potatoes. Yum! Will be making again. Love affordable recipes using basic ingredients such as this one.

Diane

Cut carrots at least in half.don't have to soften carrots first - just cook for 1 minute with garlic

julesgogo

I didn’t have mint or coriander seeds. I used fresh parsley and dried basil instead. Still delicious!

stephanie

Definitely a repeat recipe! Do quick and simple but full of flavor from handy pantry items!I upped the seasonings and tomato paste to a full little can w/ 2 cups water for a more brothy beans. Served them over leftover wild rice and feta. A perfect warm meal with plenty of leftovers for the week!!

BG Gruff

Loved this recipe. My first time cooking with lentils other than in a soup. I cut back all of the ingredients about 25%. Good thing too or it might not have fit in my large pan. Left out the sugar. Served it with a Russet potato and an orange yam served Hasselbeck style and a filet of Sockeye, baked. My wife loved it, me too. Easy four or five large portions. It was even better the next day as the lentils had soaked up all of the juices. One more portion for lunch tomorrow.

Anne-Cecile

Delicious! Made this two times now. Used carrots and sweet potatoes, and a little bit of honey instead of sugar. Cooked the lentils in chicken broth. Added a little bit of sambal oelek to the tomato paste. Really tasty.

olivia

Look like dog food :( but tastes good :)

SLW

I accidentally made this with cumin seeds instead of coriander seeds, and the resulting flavor was wonderful.

doggerelblogger

Don’t overcook lentils, no sugar, needs finishing w lemon juice

doggerelblogger

When using high-quality (fresh) lentils, you need much less liquid

PSCarol

I found this recipe too sweet for my taste and I learned that I don’t like to crunch down on coriander seeds. I think I would like it with cumin and some lemon juice. I still snarfed it down and it felt very good for me.

nine Inch Heels

Made this today and even my picky 2 and 4 year olds ate it up! Modifications: Ground corianderApple cider vinegar w honey at the endDried mint (I don't use mint enough to stock it fresh) which I added only before the last simmer. Tomato sauce (1/4 cup) plus some water.I served this over a blend of rice quinoa in a ratio of ~ 2:1 lentils to rice so as to get a very flavorful dish. Very economical, delicious and simple! Thank you for this wonderful recipe!

Laren

Can use ground coriander in a pinch

Anne-Cecile

Delicious! OK I made a few changes but followed the whole process. A great way to a delicious lentil dish! The coriander seeds were wonderful in it. I am glad I put the seeds rather than ground. Did not add sugar. Adding lime (or lemon) juice when serving elevated the dish even more. I used a sweet potato rather than carrots because that's what I had on hand. And a tablespoon of Sambal Oelek in the lentil waters because I thought a little heat was welcome. I served it with a side of rice.

Laura G.

Loved the flavor combo but like others found that cooking the lentils twice resulted in mushy lentils. Next time, will cook lentils and carrots separately, drain lentils and mix off heat at end, with a final glug of olive oil.

LL

This is a pot of bland soupiness.

LS

You can adapt this to pretty much any cuisine by swapping out the spices / herbs. I made it to accompany an Italian style New Year's Eve meal and left out the coriander, adding some hot pepper flakes with the onions and oregano when I added the carrots. Everyone raved about it.

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Carrots and Lentils in Olive Oil Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What do lentils pair well with? ›

If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.

Do lentils and carrots have vitamin B12? ›

Carrots are particularly high in Vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, which the body can convert into Vitamin A. This vitamin is essential for vision, growth, and immune function. Lentils also contain B vitamins, but not Vitamin B12, which is typically found in animal products.

Do lentils need to be soaked? ›

Lentils to do not require soaking like other pulses. Rinse your lentils with fresh water before boiling to remove any dust or debris. Cook on a stovetop, using 3 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc) to 1 cup of dry lentils. Be sure to use a large enough saucepan as the lentils will double or triple in size.

Which lentils are healthiest? ›

Urad dal or black lentil is one of the most nutritious pulses known to mankind. Low in fat and calories, Urad dal helps to improve digestion. With it being a rich source of protein and vitamin B3, it makes our bones stronger and is said to boost energy levels, enhance heart health and strengthen our nervous system.

What makes lentils taste better? ›

Think more like you're cooking pasta- you just need significantly more water than lentils. You can also use broth instead of adding an extra layer of flavor. I like adding a bay leaf, an onion cut in half, and a clove of garlic to add flavor to the lentils.

Are lentils good for your stomach? ›

Support your digestive system

Lentils are rich in a type of fiber that helps your digestive system work as it should and fuels good bacteria in your gut. Fiber may also help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. “Fiber plays an important role in regulating our bowels and protecting the immune system,” says Homan.

What vegetable has the most B12? ›

If you follow a plant-based diet, then vegetables like spinach, beetroot, butternut squash, mushroom and potato contain good amounts of vitamin B12. However, it is less likely to receive the whole amount of nutrients just from vegetable sources.

How many carrots to get enough vitamin A? ›

One whole raw carrot contains enough vitamin A to meet the FDA recommendation, as does one slice of pumpkin pie. One whole baked sweet potato gives you five times the daily recommended intake.

What foods should be avoided if you have B12 deficiency? ›

Calcium-rich foods

Calcium competes with B12 for absorption. High-calcium foods, like dairy products and fortified plant-based milks, may interfere with B12 absorption.

Which Colour lentils are the healthiest? ›

Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.

How to remove gas from lentils? ›

Soak lentils before cooking them to minimize the gas they might cause. The soaking process will help get rid of some of the oligosaccharides, like raffinose that can make you feel gassy and bloated.

Do you throw out water after soaking lentils? ›

Legumes, such as Rajma, chana, or chole, should be soaked for 8-12 hours before cooking or soaked overnight. The soaked water should be discarded as it includes tannins or phytic acid. Remember to drain and refill the water when soaking beans and lentils.

Are lentils anti-inflammatory? ›

Overall, lentils are a highly nutritious food with various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. The fiber and protein content in lentils make them beneficial for weight management, blood sugar regulation, and supporting overall gut health.

Are lentils better for you than potatoes? ›

Lentils can also help reduce blood sugar. In a study that included 48 healthy adults, replacing half of the carbs from rice or potatoes with carbs from cooked lentils at a meal led to significant decreases in post-meal blood sugars compared with eating rice or potatoes alone (12).

Can I eat lentils every day? ›

However, it's worth bearing in mind – if you are planning on eating lentils every day – that the fibre they contain can be difficult to break down and can potentially cause gas and cramping if you eat too much of it.

What to pair with lentils for complete protein? ›

Alternatively, a full complement of amino acids can be achieved by pairing lentils with whole grains such as rice or wheat. Lentils are also a great source of fiber, vitamin B1 and folic acid, and are naturally gluten-free.

What meat can you eat with lentils? ›

But if meat is still on the table for you, pair lentils with fats like duck and pork (think bacon) to add a bit of richness to this mild-flavored legume. Whether you're trying a meatless meal or making a hearty stew, lentils are a go-to pantry staple that deserve to come out of the pantry to shine this winter.

What protein pairs with lentils? ›

Grains Grains, such as rice, oats, wheat, rye and corn, can act as complementary proteins for legumes such as lentils. They contain the cysteine and methionine that lentils lack, and lentils provide the lysine that grains do not contain enough of.

What do you eat with plain lentils? ›

You can boil the lentils and make a salad with them. Here's a recipe I enjoy: Spinach and arugula mix (or whatever salad mix you prefer),Boiled lentils, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, Kalamata olives, boiled egg, some tuna if you like and vinegar and olive oil dressing or whatever vinaigrette dressing you prefer.

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