Masala Lentils with Roasted Baby Beets Recipe
Simple, healthy, and satisfying, this fresh and flavorful recipe for beets and lentils by Gayle Pirie of San Francisco’s Foreign Cinema restaurant is approachable and transformative. It looks and feels fancy, yet is loaded with nothing but the good stuff. Also, it keeps well in the fridge for up to a week, making it something you’ll want to create over and over again as a fabulous snack, green salad embellishment, or sensational side dish.
Masala Beluga Lentils with Roasted Baby Beets
You need only six ingredients — and one is salt! — to make this flavorful dish. Add a seventh — greens — for a little crispness and visual flair. FYI, garam masala, an Indian spice blend, can be found at many grocery stores and Indian markets.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 203 kcal
Ingredients
- 12 baby beets
- 1 1/2 cups beluga lentils small black lentils
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or other vinegar
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- Small handful of mâche or baby salad greens for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place the beets and 1⁄4 cup water in a small roasting pan, cover with foil, and roast for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the beets are just tender to the touch. Cool and peel the beets with a paring knife, and then cut each beet into quarters and set aside.
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Meanwhile, combine the lentils and 3 cups of water in a small saucepan over medium heat. When the water boils, reduce the heat to a low simmer, add the salt and olive oil and cook, uncovered, stirring every 5 minutes, for 15 minutes, or until the lentils are still firm and intact, but starting to be creamy inside.
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Drain any excess water, stir in the vinegar and garam masala, remove the pot from the heat, and transfer the lentils to a bowl to cool. If desired, add more salt, oil, vinegar, or garam masala to taste, then transfer lentils to a serving dish, garnish with the beets and greens, and serve warm or cold.
Nutrition Facts
Masala Beluga Lentils with Roasted Baby Beets
Amount Per Serving
Calories 203
Calories from Fat 63
% Daily Value*
Fat 7g11%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Sodium 342mg15%
Potassium 203mg6%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 9g38%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 22IU0%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 33mg3%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Photography Maren Caruso
