Lentils, like beans, add fibre to your diet and are the ultimate convenience legume since they don't require any soaking. This tasty dinner is from "The GI Diet Made Easy" story in our October 2004 issue.
Comfort food at its best, this vegetarian take on classic shepherd's pie has a sweet potato topping and flavourful lentil filling that is sure to satisfy even the most devout meat eater.
Fresh tarragon is an often overlooked herb, but it pairs perfectly with lentils, shrimp and asparagus. This salad is also wonderful cold; just cook and cool the shrimp before tossing with the salad.
The easy make-ahead components of this lovely layered salad make for a relaxed picnic day. Lentils give the dish a protein boost, and their softer texture contrasts nicely with the crunchy vegetables.
Tangy goat cheese, curried lentils and sweet leeks make a perfect partnership in this flavourful cheese spread. The log needs time in the fridge to become firm, so it's best made the day before.
There’s no better way to warm up during the dark and cold days of Canadian winters than with this hearty soup chock full of smoked turkey and good-for-you lentils.
This salad is reminiscent of a Waldorf salad, but the addition of lentils moves it into the dinner category. Once the apple is sliced, add it directly to the dressing - the lemon juice will prevent it from turning brown.
Canned lentils or chickpeas and tomatoes are pantry musts for quick weeknight suppers. This dish is suitable for vegans, but others can add a sprinkle of sharp cheese, such as Asiago or Romano.
Red lentils are a budget-friendly source of fibre and protein, and they cook from dried in no time. Serve with hot sauce for drizzling over top and warm naan for dipping into the soft egg yolk. Cost: $3 per serving
Lentils are very high in folate and fibre and are a good source of vegetable protein. Serve with a whole grain baguette and a salad of half spinach and half romaine tossed with Lemon Pesto Buttermilk Dressing. Buttermilk sounds as though it should be high in fat but, in fact, has only 1% milk fat and delivers as much calcium as milk. Any leftover soup makes a tasty lunch the next day.
