Lentils as a Side Dish

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   Gather the ingredients you'll need for this lentil side. We'll be using green lentils. Peel the carrot, onion, and garlic. Seed the bell pepper. Wash all the vegetables and herbs.

2. Step 2:

   

   Grate the carrot on the coarse side of a grater, and chop the pepper and onion small. If you like, you can cut the carrot into sticks instead.

3. Step 3:

   

   Heat vegetable oil in a deep, high-sided skillet or a heavy-bottomed pot. Add the chopped vegetables and cook, stirring occasionally, for about two to three minutes.

4. Step 4:

   

   Meanwhile, cut the tomatoes into medium dice. You can peel them first if you like: pour boiling water over them for a minute, then drain and slip off the skins. Mince the garlic finely, or put it through a press.

5. Step 5:

   

   Add the tomatoes, garlic, salt, and a pinch of sugar to the pot of vegetables. If you're using peak-season vegetables, you can skip the sugar — the natural sweetness of the carrot and tomatoes is usually enough. Stir everything together, cover, and leave it over low heat for another five minutes.

6. Step 6:

   

   How do you cook lentils for a side dish? Rinse the lentils well (you can soak them for a while if you like). In this recipe the lentils weren't soaked.

7. Step 7:

   

   Turn the heat up high. Add the lentils to the pot of vegetables and pour in the water. Once it boils, lower the heat to a minimum, cover, and cook the lentils for about 40 minutes. Stir occasionally.

8. Step 8:

   

   If the water boils off too fast and the lentils aren't done yet, add a little boiling water at a time.

   If there's still liquid left after the cooking time is up, take off the lid at the end, turn the heat up high, and cook — stirring now and then — until the liquid has cooked away. Sprinkle the finished dish with finely chopped herbs. Add pepper if you like.