This simple vegetarian lentil recipe is paired with blistered cherry tomatoes and wilted kale. Seasoned with Middle Eastern spices, it’s full of great flavor, while being healthy and filling!
Growing up with a frugal Egyptian father, lentils were one of the mainstays of our diet. He would season them deliciously, but it seemed like we had them everyday …. and of course as a kid I grew tired of them and wanted to eat “normal” food like pizza and spaghetti like all my friends.
As you get older you begin to realize that all those things that made your family seem different or weird, are the same things that made them interesting and unique. As a grown up, I look back at those lentils with such fondness, I actually yearn for them. Somehow they bring such comfort. As a child, I never thought I would ever miss them… but life is funny that way.
In this simple recipe for vegetarian Lentils with Blistered Tomatoes and Kale, Middle Eastern spices give the lentils a burst of delicious flavor. To make this recipe even faster, purchase pre-cooked lentils, now available at many grocery stores (like Trader Joes, Whole foods, etc), or pre-cook a big batch of lentils on Sunday for the workweek, to use in this recipe and in Buddha Bowls! You can also freeze cooked lentils in smaller portions for later.
If going vegan, skip the feta and add a drizzle of olive oil or even tahini sauce. Kale adds extra nutrients and can be substituted with spinach or any other braising green.
This month I’ve partnered with USA Pulses & Pulse Canada to help share how adding pulses (beans, lentils, chickpeas, split peas) to our everyday meals – just a ½ cup, three times a week- can help us on our health journey. Packed with protein, fiber and essential nutrients – pulses are hearty and filling yet low in cholesterol and help us maintain healthy weight, not to mention they’re delicious and easy to cook! For more info, sign up for the Half-Cup Habit!
Lentils with Blistered Tomatoes and Kale
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 2
- Category: Vegan Main
- Method: Saute
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Description
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 shallot, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, rough chopped
- 2 cups cooked lentils (Beluga lentils, black caviar or french green. Do not use split lentils.)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- splash water
- 2–3 large handfuls baby kale
Optional additions- crumbled feta or goat cheese, drizzle of olive oil.
Instructions
Notes
Small black or green lentils work best here. Split lentils will turn to mush, so be warned. 😉 Brown lentils will work just fine, and taste great, but have less visual appeal.
Easy and delicious!
★★★★★
why is this recipe so high in sodium?
There was an error. All good now!
Absolutely delicious! This was my first time cooking with Coriander and I loved it. Thank you!
★★★★★
Great to hear Pricila!
Made the vegan version for dinner last night. Happened to have some steamed kale on hand so subbed that in. Delicious, quick, clean food!
★★★★★
Tomorrow I shall be making it for the second time. There is something magical when coriander and cumin get toasted and marry each other, yummy beyond words. Thanks for another great recipe!
This recipe is fantastic! I’m making it for a 2nd time this week. We added 2 poached eggs but it would be delicious with or without.
★★★★★
LLoved this recipe….so good. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy everything I cook from your blog. Now my friends are enjoying your recipes also.
thanks Christi! Glad you enjoyed and appreciate you sharing!!!
★★★★★
This is delicious! Took the leftovers for lunch the next day and it was even better. The spices just lift the lentils past that sometimes boring flavour and the tomatoes give it a bit of sweetness.
★★★★★
Oh Good! Yes, lentils can be kind of somber without a little love. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!