There is no doubt that lentils are one of the most versatile of all the legume family. Indeed it is not only their culinary usefulness that they are well known for.

In Egyptian times they were used as bubble packing for ancient artefacts and sculptures for shipping. The word lens is the Latin for lentil and derives its name from the shape of these little nutrition packed wonders.

The cultivation of lentils as a food goes back to well before the Egyptians, to Neolithic times (roughly 10.000 years ago). It was during this time that farming came about and lentils were one of the earliest crops to be cultivated, originating in the Middle East. It is no surprise then that there are so many references to the lentil in the Bible. The French dish Esau potage is a lentil broth named after Esau. In the Old Testament, Jacob bought the birthright from Esau with a dish of stewed lentils. Then there is the arguable notion that Lent was named after the lentil as the majority of people were too poor to be able to afford fish at this religious time and therefore had to rely on lentils for sustenance.

But it is for their culinary uniqueness that we are looking to this humble legume. There are few foods that are so versatile. They can be made into anything from pates, dressings, soups, dhals, fritters and salads.

They are packed full of beneficial nutrients as well as being a very rich source of soluble fibre, and being the third richest vegetable source of protein there is.

A study of dietry patterns and risk of heart disease following 16,000 middle aged men in the U.S., Finland, Netherlands, Italy, former Yugoslavia, Greece and Japan over a period of 25 years, found that after analysing the data, diets with a high legume content were associated with a huge 82% reduction in risk of heart disease!

Another study published in the ‘Archives of Internal Medicine’ confirms that a diet high in soluble fibre, such as lentils, helps prevent heart disease. Out of 10,000 adults, those eating the most fibre (21 grams a
day or more) had a 12% reduction in coronary heart disease and 11% less cardiovascular disease. Those that ate the most water soluble fibre fared even better.

The fact that lentils are excellent for heart health is not only in the fibre content, but also the significant amounts of folate (folic acid) and magnesium they supply. Folate has long been associated with heart health as it helps to lower levels of homocysteine. This is an amino acid that damages artery walls and is a serious risk factor for heart disease. When folate is present it converts homocysteine into cysteine or methionine, both of which are benign. Folate is also a crucial nutrient for pregnant women. Up to 70% of birth defects such as, spina bifida and  neural tube defects have been shown to be due to a lack of folate in the diet. Most doctors advise women of child bearing age to increase their intake of folate as it is not just during pregnancy but also prior to conceiving that there is a great need for folate.

The magnesium content in lentils adds another heart helping dimension. Magnesium is known to help the arteries and veins ‘relax’ which lessens resistance and improves the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Studies have shown that not only are low levels of magnesium associated with heart disease, but that after a heart attack low levels promote free radical injury to the heart.

It doesn’t stop there either. Lentils are an important source of B vitamins, particularly B-3. They are also high in iron, zinc and calcium, which is why they are so popular as a substitute for red meat. The iron is better absorbed by the body when eaten with vitamin C rich foods such as dark green vegetables. One of my favourite dishes is Indian spiced lentils, or dhal, with spinach stirred in at the last minute. A bowl of that with a hot naan bread makes a substantial and very healthy lunch for about a $1.00 a portion! Frugal food needn’t be bland and boring. It is high in protein too, being as good a source as some cheaper cuts of meat. Whilst they are deficient in only two amino acids, this is not the case once they have sprouted. When sprouted they contain sufficient amounts of all amino acids. In addition to this, their nutritional value goes up in sprouted form too.

Apart from the fact that they get a bad rap as being boring ‘hippy’ food, there is not a lot that you can say bad about the humble lentil.

Packed with goodness, nutrition and incredibly versatile as you will see in the following recipes. As with the acorn and mighty oak parable, these little guys should not be underestimated……

Lentil Varieties

There are numerous varieties of lentils but some of the most common are:

RED SPLIT (CHIEF)

These are perhaps the most common of all. They are good for soups and purees as they tend to puree when cooked and don’t hold their shape. A good use for them is to thicken stews or casseroles. Instead of reaching for the gravy granules or artificial thickener, try adding a good handful towards the end of cooking when making your next casserole. You’ll find it absorbs the excess liquid and provides a good protein boost to your meal.

BROWN LENTIL

Again these break down and become mushy if over cooked, but if cooked carefully they will retain their shape. They are good added to sauces or broths.

YELLOW LENTILS

These are actually split mung beans and are very similar to red lentils except they are a bit firmer.

BELUGA LENTILS

These are an incredibly attractive lentil, so called because when they are cooked they glisten like caviar. They retain their shape and remain firm when cooked. Excellent as an accompaniment to meals and also in sauces or dressings.

PUY LENTILS (FRENCH GREEN)

These to my mind are the king of lentils. Small and robust, they too keep their shape after cooking and are adaptable to a whole host of uses from pates to stuffing’s for vegetables to sauces and dressings. Green and brown lentils are also higher in nutrients than their red and yellow cousins.

BKACK LENTILS (URAD DHAL)

Again these are actually a bean and if they are shelled and split they become white lentils. These are widely used in Indian cooking. It is no surprise that India is the biggest producer of lentils in the world. But it may come as a shock to know that Canada is the second highest producer!

Ingredients (serves 4):

• 4 Big Green Outer Leaves Savoy Cabbage
• 6 oz Puy Lentils (French Green Lentils)
• 1 Small Onion or 3 Shallots Finely Diced
• 1 Clove of Garlic Finely Chopped
• 20 fl oz Mushroom or Vegetable Stock
• 8 oz Finely Sliced Mixed Wild Mushrooms
• Handful of Marjoram Leaves, Chopped
• Truffle Oil (Optional)

Method:

1. Take the central tough core out of the middle of the outer leaves and then plunge into boiling water for about a minute, and then remove and put into ice cold water to stop the cooking and preserve the bright green colour.
2. Meanwhile heat a saucepan with a good shot of olive oil. Saute the onions and garlic until softened.
3. Add the lentils and then the stock. Simmer (Not Boil) for 20-30 miunutes or until the lentils are softened, (you may have to add a little more stock). There should still be a little liquid left in the pan with the lentils.
4. Blitz the lentils to a puree in a food processor.
5. Saute the mushrooms in a little olive oil until softened. Add the marjoram and season with salt and pepper. Stir into the lentil mixture with a tablespoon of truffle oil, if using.
6. Allow to cool and set for several hours.
7. Take a 6 oz ladle and line with cling film.

Nutrition

The high fibre and folate content in lentils has been shown to be very beneficial in heart health. It is also rich in magnesium which helps the walls of arteries and veins to relax which helps with blood flow. Lentils are rich in iron which is better absorbed with Vitamin-C, dark green  vegetables such as savoy, are a rich source of Vitamin-C.

Mushrooms have long been associated with fighting cancer in Asia. In Japan lentinan, found in Shiitake mushrooms, has been shown to inhibit tumour growth. Mushrooms are also a good source of polysacharides , which help boost the immune system. Chinese black mushrooms (wood ear) contain an anti-coagulant substance which thins the blood and helps prevent clots. The effect has been likened to that of aspirin.

Chef’s Note:

These are an excellent, nutritious and very elegant way to cater for vegetarians or vegans at a dinner party. The fact that they can be made ahead of time and frozen is an added bonus. You can also make a wonderful meat version of this dish by very slowly roasting lamb shoulder with garlic and rosemary until the meat is falling off the bone. Shred it up and mix with a little of the fat and juices and use in the same way as you would for the lentil filling. Again it is superb with parsnip puree.

All ingredients should be organic whenever possible!

Ingredients (8-10 Burgers):

• 1 cup dry lentils, well rinsed
• 2½ cups water
• ½ teaspoon unrefined sea salt
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 cup rolled oats, finely ground
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon turmeric
• 1 cup bread crumbs (we recommend sprouted grain bread, stale, and torn into small pieces and ground in a food processer)

Method for Lentil Burger Recipe:

1. In a saucepan place lentils, water, and salt, bring to a boil, lower heat, cover, and simmer until water is nearly gone and lentils are soft, with splitting skins (about 45 minutes).
2. Sauté the onion, carrot, and bell pepper in oil until softer (about 3 minutes) then add garlic and continue for 30 seconds.
3. Mix the lentils, onions, carrots, pepper, turmeric, and soy sauce in large bowl.
4. Add the ground oats and bread crumbs, mix.
5. Form the lentil mixture into patties (should still be warm), which can now be frozen, refrigerated for a few days, or cooked immediately.

Cooking (2 choices):

1. Heat some oil in a frying pan at ,medium to medium-high heat and place a burger on top. Fry until brown (1-2 minutes). Repeat on other side and serve.
2. In an oven at 400º bake on a greased baking sheet for about 15 minutes.

All ingredients should be organic whenever possible!

Related Reading:

• Lentils
• Mental Health, Physical Health & B Vitamins – Nature’s Valium
• Five Super Protein-Rich Vegan Foods for Healthy Living
• Lentils and Wild Mushrooms In Savoy Leaves

There are so many great things you can say about this dish! Pulses are packed full of protein and are rich in folates. Spinach is probably one of the healthiest foods around; it contains practically every vitamin and mineral.

Quick and easy to make, this is a wonderful evening meal for those in a rush, or an ideal lunch to eat out in the garden.

The ‘Tortilla’ title sometimes confuses people. In Spain a tortilla is not a floury wrap but a thick omelette that is cut up into slices and served as tapas.

Of course, all ingredients should be organic whenever possible!

Ingredients:

• 1 Small Onion Finely Chopped
• 2-3 Cloves Garlic Finely Chopped
• 1 Small Red Chili Finely Chopped
• 4 oz Chickpeas (Ready Cooked or Tinned)
• 4 oz Baby Spinach Leaves Washed
• 6 Large Eggs
• Handful Chopped Parsley
• Pinch Ground Cumin
• Pinch Cayenne Pepper
• Salt and Pepper

Method:

1. In a non-stick fry pan or heavy skillet, sauté the onion, garlic, and chili in a littleolive oil for a couple of minutes until soft.
2. Add the spinach leaves to the onion mixture along with the chickpeas and sauté for a couple more minutes until the spinach has wilted.
3. Sprinkle in the seasonings and the parsley.
4. Whisk up the eggs in a bowl, then pour over the chickpea mixture in the fry pan and roll around to get an even thickness. Cook over a low heat on the stove then finish off under a grill, or bake the whole skillet in a moderate oven until set.
5. Slide out onto a plate, cut into wedges, and serve with a nice tossed salad and red slaw for a health-packed 10-minute meal!