| p>Lentils have not enjoyed the most glamorous of | | | | thicken and stick to the bottom of the pot. Discard the |
| reputations. Perhaps it's because they're so healthy | | | | ginger. |
| that the rebellious child in us wants to throw a hissy-fit. | | | | Heat the oil in a frying pan. Get the spices measured |
| After all, no one wants to be preached to, do they? Or | | | | out and ready, as they're going to go in the oil in quick |
| perhaps there's a bit of culinary snobbery going on - | | | | succession, and briefly. When the oil is hot, add the |
| can something so cheap and accessible really be such | | | | cumin seeds. A few seconds later, add the coriander |
| a top-class food? | | | | and the cayenne pepper. Stir once, then pour this |
| But the truth is that sometimes, it's none of these. | | | | aromatic oil into the lentils. Serve with fresh coriander. |
| Some people just think lentils don't taste nice. The | | | | 2. New Year's Eve Classic: Lentils and Pork |
| chances are that they've never tasted lentils cooked | | | | Italians sometimes see in the New Year with lentils and |
| really, really well, in dish. | | | | sausages. The lentils are said to represent wealth. So |
| So let's give the lentil-loathers a second chance. It's | | | | fill your plate and digest your riches. |
| time to give lentils a make-over, a PR spin, a new | | | | 500g good quality pork sausages |
| lease of life. Here then, are two fantastic lentil recipes | | | | 350 g green or brown lentils (Puy or Castelluccio if |
| that will convert even the most stubborn of critics into | | | | possible)one large onion, finely chopped |
| fans. | | | | 2 large carrots, finely chopped |
| 1. Mild or spicy: Lentil Dahl | | | | 2 sticks celery, finely chopped |
| 2. New Year's Eve Classic: Lentils and Pork | | | | 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped |
| 1. Mild or spicy: Lentil Dahl (adapted from Madhur | | | | 1 small dried red chilli (remove the seeds) finely |
| Jaffrey) | | | | chopped |
| The quantities in this recipe give a fairly gloopy dahl, | | | | A tin of tomatoes |
| which you can eat with naan bread and rice. Use | | | | A handful of herbs such as sage and rosemary |
| more spices if you prefer stronger flavours, and adjust | | | | Salt and black pepper |
| the amount of liquid to get the consistency you like. | | | | Heat some olive oil and gently fry the vegetables, garlic |
| 200 g red split lentils, washed; one litre of water; two | | | | and chili until soft (about 10 minutes). Add the tomatoes |
| thin slices of ginger; ½ teaspoon of turmeric; 1 | | | | and herbs. Simmer for a couple of minutes, and then |
| teaspoon of salt; 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil; 1-2 | | | | add the lentils. Cover with cold water (you can use |
| teaspoon of cumin seeds; ½ teaspoon cayenne | | | | stock, too), bring to the boil and simmer for about 25 |
| pepper; 1-2 teaspoons of ground coriander; fresh | | | | minutes or until tender. During this time, cook the |
| coriander to serve. | | | | sausages. Pour the lentil mixture over the sausages, |
| Combine the lentils and the water and bring to the boil. | | | | garnish with parsley or shavings of Parmesan cheese, |
| Scoop off any scum from the top. Add the ginger and | | | | and serve. |
| the turmeric. Cover the pot, leaving the lid slightly ajar, | | | | If your lentil-critic isn't converted after tasting these, |
| and simmer for 1 ½ hours. Stir regularly during | | | | then you'd probably best accept that there's simply no |
| the last 30 minutes or so, as the lentils will begin to | | | | hope. You'll have to indulge your lentil passion alone. |