Surprising Way to Use Lentils

Three Easy Recipes

Like all legumes, lentils are little powerhouses of nutrition— packed with protein, fiber, essential nutrients, and antioxidants. But lentils have a special status in my kitchen because they cook up fairly quickly with no pre-soaking required, and they are easier to digest than many beans. They are also incredibly versatile. These recipes showcase just a few ways lentils can add easy elegance to dishes. Enjoy!

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Lentil and Macaroni Soup With Swiss Chard

Photo by Deb Lindsey for The Washington Post

This comforting soup combines lentils and elbow pasta. It’s flecked with Swiss chard (or swap in spinach), tomato, and seasoned with a deeply flavorful but mellow mix of spices. It’s s a one-pot wonder that is easy to make on a weekend so you have a nourishing meal to reheat during the week.

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Black Lentil Salad With Vegetables and Herbs

In this black lentil salad, matchsticks of kohlrabi or broccoli stems add pale, crisp contrast to tender, caviar-like black lentils, along with juicy grape tomatoes, shallot and herbs, all coated in a rich mustard vinaigrette. It makes a stunning side dish and can also serve as a vegan main course.

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Lamb Meatballs with Lentils in an Aromatic Tomato Sauce

Here, lamb meatballs and lentils provide a one-two protein punch for a skillet meal that’s also a knockout flavor-wise with aromatic, savory spices and fresh spinach. A finishing dollop of yogurt adds cool creaminess that contrasts the warm earthy flavors in the bowl.

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