French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme Recipe (2024)

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Eric Rodgers

This is very close to how I prepare lentils, too, though I take a somewhat lazier approach. I buy pre-diced frozen mirepoix (which adds celery) at one of my local grocers. I usually slice garlic rather than finely mince. And nearly always, when I use fresh thyme, I simply toss in large sprigs that I later extract with the bay leaves. Some water often gets swapped out in favor of chicken or vegetable stock and/or a bit of white wine, and some fresh parsley and lemon finishes it off.

Bill Ahlstrom

Simmered in chicken broth until creamy. Added chopped mushrooms. Served with grilled lamb chops. Heavenly combination, accompanied with good pinot noir or cores du rhone.

Expat Steve in France

Turn cold left-overs into a salad by adding olive oil, vinegar, snipped chives and crumbled demi-sec goat cheese. Serve with cherry tomatoes.

Helane

This is the best lentils. Using food processor for aromatics is a must. Do not over cook- they should have some tooth. Great with chicken sausage. Room temperature with feta for lunch was Yummy. Very versatile. I halved the recipe and it's enough for 6

Ron Russell

This is a great and simple method, however I have to believe that the Tablespoon of salt is a typo- that much makes these lentils very salty. A teaspoon is more to our taste. Celery is a good addition.

Sue Llewellyn

Hey guys--these are NOT your usual supermkt lentils, so if you're looking for creaminess, lentil soup, or some variation on Indian dhal, save your $$! The whole point of Le Puys = that they don't break down but keep their texture & "toothsomeness," making them ideal for recipes like this.
Incidentally, many similar recipes call for about a tablespoon of Cognac or Armagnac in the cooking liquid. And they work well served at rm. temp or cold (if you must).

chef Pace, milano

I start with olive oil and pancetta, then finely chopped leeks and carrot, next fresh sage leaves, add the lentils and coat well with with the cooking fat, add boiling vegetable broth and double concentrated tomato paste, cover and simmer

Emily D

Love this easy, beautiful dish! Everyone has such great elegant ideas in the comments on NYTCooking recipes. I went a simpler route. Needed a quick no fuss (but not lightning fast) dinner. Made these lentils to the T, then for dinner I toasted some Seeduction bread (Whole Foods. Buy it! You won’t regret it!), slathered with Dijon mustard, topped with 1/4 c of the cooked lentils, then a fried egg on top with some parm/salt/pepper. Utterly divine and simple as could be.

Denise

This was delicious. It tasted like France. I served them over fresh baby spinach which wilted from the warm lentils. We also had grilled salmon. For lunch the next day the whole combination, spinach, lentils and salmon made for a great salad.
I thought it was a tiny bit salty so will reduce next time. I doubled the carrots and would do that again.

Hector Lahera

Le Puy lentils taste wonderful and hold their shape well. The leftovers, served cold and dressed with a vinaigrette make for a wonderful salad.

Barbara

Oh my goodness this is delicious! I followed the recipe to the letter, almost, deglazing the pan after the onions, carrot and garlic with a splash of white wine. Served with morrocan spice courgettes and potatoes and with a green vegetable and it was extremely good.
Can't wait to make it again, it will be a great accompaniment to roast pork, grilled fish or a spicy chicken dish.

Stephen

These came out well, and I served them as suggested with the cod wrapped in prosciutto. But next time, I'll scale back this recipe. Six people? I had enough lentils to feed a mid-size army on the march.

D.

This is how I cook my lentils for a soup (more water), but I also add chopped celery together with the carrots and then some dried mint and savory instead of the bay leaves.

Elizabeth Smith

The addition of a mustard vinaigrette and some chopped parsley transforms this into a delightful first course.

Jim

Only two of us in the house, so I make half the recipe using 1 cup of lentils. I substitute chicken or vegetable broth for half the water. I also add red wine vinegar to taste (teaspoon at a time) at the end.

Helene M.

This was easy, delicious and nutritious. I did not change a thing and will make this again and again and again. Good to eat with chicken or fish or more veggies. Outstanding addition to any meal.

Auntie Mame

I bought these to serve with duck, which I believe is a classic. I will prob. soak these first in cool water. My way to prepare brown lentils so they cook evenly.

Leanne

Made multiple times with some added red wine, tomato paste, and leeks instead of onions. Yum!

Ann

I found it to be very bland. Needs at least twice as much garlic, twice as much onion, and more thyme.I used a strong vegetable stock, added celery and more carrots as well. I also added a dash of balsamic vinegar and some red wine. Use half as much lentils and still serve six.

JZapin

Tastes but took a lot longer.

teri jones

CAUTIONOne Tablespoon of salt is likely an error. Maybe start with a teaspoon.

Victoria

This recipe is too bland and needs to be spiced up with more garlic, onions, cumin, and perhaps cinnamon, which I will add if I make it again. I used one TEASPOON of salt.

Julie

Great recipe and have made it repeatedly. Made a half batch and agree that salt should be cut back. I also add more garlic Sometimes use low sodium chicken broth instead of water. Serve as a side with tarragon chicken. Tres bien!

LHillMKE

This is delicious. It makes a TON. Next time I would cut the recipe in half!

Dee WG

Absolutely does not disappoint. I’ll back off on the salt a bit next time, though.

Emily

Fantastic recipe and a great way to enjoy Puy lentils. I added some white wine vinegar at the end of cooking and served it with pork belly.

CW

Slip the carrots and garlic, double the onion

Dan

Don't know what they consider a serving size, but unless you're just eating a bowl of lentils, this is more like 12 servings. Made with Chicken stock and I thought it was good if a bit flat. Next day sauteed some chopped bacon then added leftover lentils to heat up and finished with some crumbled cojita cheese. Fantastic! Used as a base for grilled shrimp.

Jen

Maybe 1-2 teaspoons?

Chipper

Loved this. Reduced amount to one cup of lentils. Had roasted garlic and stock on hand and used that. Deglazed onions and carrots with white white. Did not add any salt — has plenty of flavor without it.

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French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Which herbs go well with lentils? ›

Woodsy herbs like sage, rosemary, and thyme are natural partners to the lentil's earthy flavor, so any of them (or any combination of them) can go into the pot, too.

What can you add to lentils to make them taste better? ›

Add a tablespoon of paprika and a small very very finely diced onion to the lentils after you have cooked them and stir in well. Leave on heat for a few minutes for flavours to blend. If you can't eat onion use a level teaspoon of Asa Foetida powder instead. Be sure and add salt to the dish.

Should I soak French lentils before cooking? ›

Unlike other dried beans, there's no need to presoak these lentils, which makes them perfect for weeknight salads and pilafs! These lentils, also known as lentilles vertes, or green lentils in French, have the most intense flavor compared to all other lentil varieties.

What is the difference between lentils and French lentils? ›

A variety of green lentils, French lentils are about one-third the size of regular lentils. With a slightly greenish-grey hue, they may appear more akin to gravel than a legume, and boast a peppery flavor. The thing that really makes French lentils stand apart though is their texture.

What spices can you add to lentils? ›

Spices – Ground coriander provides warm earthiness, ground cumin has a slight bitterness that goes well with sweet lentils, sumac is astringent with a bit of puckery sourness, and crushed red peppers add a hint of a kick. Any mild to spicy red pepper will work, like Aleppo-style pepper.

Why should you not season lentils until the end of cooking? ›

Be sure to season with salt after cooking – if salt is added before, the lentils will become tough. Canned lentils are also another great time-saving option – just be sure to rinse them under fresh water for about one minute in order to reduce the sodium content.

What can I put in lentils to prevent gas? ›

Cooking beans with a large strip of dried kombu, a Japanese dried kelp, may minimise their gas-producing properties too. This strong-smelling spice, often known as “hing”, offers relief from stomach gas. Add a small pinch to dal or khichadi - a rice and lentil dish.

Why do I feel so good after eating lentils? ›

Lentils are rich in fibre, folate and potassium making them a great choice for the heart and for managing blood pressure and cholesterol. They are also a source of energising iron and vitamin B1 which helps maintain a steady heartbeat.

Why do I feel better after eating lentils? ›

Lentils have plenty of folate, iron and vitamin B1, which also support your heart health. Lentils may be associated with a lower risk of heart disease, by lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure. One study found that eating lentils led to greater reductions in blood pressure than eating chickpeas, peas or beans.

What happens if I don't rinse lentils? ›

While it seems like an unnecessary step, don't skip rinsing your lentils and sifting through them before cooking to remove any stones or debris. It is rare to find stones, but it does happen.

What happens if you don't pre soak lentils? ›

Soaking: Unlike beans, lentils are small and cook relatively quick (in general, about 20-30 minutes) so they don't require pre-soaking. However, soaking lentils for a few hours or overnight may improve the digestibility of starches in lentils and an overnight soak can also reduce cooking time by about half.

Which color lentil is healthiest? ›

Black Lentils (Beluga lentils)

Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.

How healthy are French lentils? ›

Health Benefits of French Lentils. The distinguishing feature of French lentils is their very high content of fiber and protein. The latter constitutes about 30% of the whole content of this legume. Additionally, they are a rich source of essential minerals, amino acids, and B-complex vitamins.

What are the tastiest lentils? ›

Black Beluga lentils have the most flavor, adding a rich, earthy taste and a firm texture that holds up well during cooking. Black lentils will be ready in 20–25 minutes; however, they will fall apart like their brown, green, and red partners once you cook them for too long.

What pairs well with lentils? ›

Here are some good food combinations with lentils:
  • Lentils and Rice: Lentils and rice make a classic and satisfying combination. ...
  • Lentils and Vegetables: Lentils pair well with a wide range of vegetables. ...
  • Lentils and Tomatoes: Tomatoes complement lentils beautifully and enhance their flavors.
Jul 12, 2023

Do you season lentils before or after cooking? ›

Follow this tip: Wait until the lentils are done cooking to add salt or acidic ingredients like lemon juice or vinegar. Stir them into the lentils while still warm and they'll absorb the flavor perfectly.

How to spice up a can of lentil soup? ›

In a saucepan, bring one 19-ounce can lentil soup, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper and 1/2 teaspoon each ground coriander, cumin and paprika to a simmer. Stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint. Ladle into bowls and garnish with lemon slices.

What are the most flavorful lentils? ›

Black Beluga lentils have the most flavor, adding a rich, earthy taste and a firm texture that holds up well during cooking. Black lentils will be ready in 20–25 minutes; however, they will fall apart like their brown, green, and red partners once you cook them for too long.

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