How to Make Red Lentil Pate

Yields: 2 cups

Preparation time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 35 mins

Ingredients needed to make Red Lentil Pate:

• ¾ cup dried red lentils
• 1 cup fresh cremini mushrooms, coarsely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 ¼ tsp sherry vinegar
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Kosher salt to taste

Cooking instructions for Red Lentil Pate:

• Fill a small saucepan with water and bring it to a boil.
• Throw in the lentils and bring it down to a simmer to cook at slow flame for about 15 minutes or until most of the cooking liquid evaporates.
• Tip them into a fine mesh sieve to strain and set aside for about 20 minutes to cool completely.
• Drizzle oil in a large skillet and heat it over moderately high flame until it shimmers.
• Throw in the mushrooms as well as onions and sprinkle a dash of salt to season.
• Sauté for about 6-7 minutes, stirring periodically, until they soften and browns slightly.
• Stir in the garlic and continue to sauté for another couple of minutes, stirring often, until the mixture gives out a pleasant aroma.
• Drop in the bay leaf and sprinkle the oregano, paprika as well as ground black pepper over the sautéed mixture.
• Stir them all together to mix well and pour in a splash of white wine.
• Bring it to a simmer, while scratching out the browned bites from the sides and base of the pan and cook for about 3 minutes or until the sauce reduces considerably.
• Turn off the heat and set aside to let it cool down to some extent.
• Throw away the bay leaf and tip the mixture into a blender, equipped with a blade attachment.
• Dump the cooked lentils into it, along with a splash of vinegar and seasonings.
• Pulse them for a minutes until they form a smooth puree, with few bits of lentils.
• Adjust the seasonings and scrap it out into an airtight container.
• Leave in the fridge to store and serve alongside toasted breads.

 Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Last Updated on April 17, 2013 by