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.

Should I soak French lentils before cooking? ›

How to prepare lentils. Lentils do not require it but can be soaked in order to reduce cooking time by about half. Before cooking, rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove debris or shrivelled lentils, then drain.

What makes lentils taste better? ›

I toss them with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, fresh herbs, and red pepper flakes to make a nutritious side dish or base for plant-based bowls.

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 are the most flavorful lentils? ›

These are the most flavorful lentils around. Black lentils might not be quite as common as the other varieties, but buy them if you can find them. They're small, nearly spherical, and can be mistaken for brown lentils with a darker shade of brown. What sets them apart is a thicker skin.

Are lentils good for your bowels? ›

Lentils

A 1/2-cup serving of boiled lentils contains an impressive 7.8 g of fiber. Eating lentils may also help increase the production of butyric acid, a type of short-chain fatty acid found in your colon. This could increase the movement of your digestive tract to promote bowel movements.

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

Don't worry about soaking lentils, split peas, or black-eyed peas (or cowpeas). Lentils and peas are softer than dried beans. They'll cook within 5 to 20 minutes without any soaking time. Nearly all traditional cookbooks tell you to soak dried beans before cooking them.

How to cook lentils to reduce gas? ›

Soak lentils before cooking them to minimize the gas they might cause. The soaking process will help get rid of some of the oligosaccharides, like raffinose that can make you feel gassy and bloated.

Why are my lentils still hard after cooking? ›

Keep them moist.

If you don't want dry, hard lentils, make sure to keep a little liquid in the pot! You can always add a little more if the water is evaporating faster than they cook.

What to pair lentils with? ›

If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.

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 are the best color lentils to eat? ›

Thanks to the robust flavor, these lentils pair well with meaty veggies and marinated proteins like mushrooms, tofu, and seitan. 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.

Is it better to cook lentils covered or uncovered? ›

Place lentils in a large pot with at least 2 inches of unsalted liquid covering them. Bring to a rapid simmer. Reduce heat to very low, so only slow bubbles appear. Cook your lentils uncovered on low heat for 20-45 minutes (based on the variety) to plump them up while avoiding split skins and mushy results.

What happens if you don't wash lentils? ›

You're fine to eat unrinsed lentils. The only real reason to rinse it to remove possible dirt, and perhaps a tad of starch.

How to tell if lentils are done? ›

Honestly, the best way to tell if lentils are done are to taste them. They should be tender to the bite, with some varieties of lentils being a bit more firm and others more soft. That said, if you would like your lentils to be softer, just simmer them a few minutes longer until they reaches your desired consistency.

What pairs well with lentils? ›

If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.

What not to plant with lentils? ›

As with other legumes, planting lentils near alliums such as onions, garlic, and chives should be avoided because they tend to build up sulfur in the soil, which in large enough concentrations can inhibit the growth of lentils.

What can I add to lentils to reduce gas? ›

Cumin seeds or ground cumin helps with digestion and is perfect in a soup, curry or dal (lentil dish). Carom seeds, fennel seeds, turmeric and peppermint are other great digestive aids. Cooking beans with a large strip of dried kombu, a Japanese dried kelp, may minimise their gas-producing properties too.

How are lentils used in Indian cuisine? ›

They're used in aromatic curries, rich soups, hearty salads, and many rice dishes. You can also use them in dips or sauté for a quick and healthy snack! Unlike most other beans, you don't have to soak red lentils before cooking.

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