lentil Recipes
10 delicious lentil recipes from around the world
Mercimek Köftesi
Turkish lentil balls - red lentil and bulgur balls with herbs. Vegan mezze favorite.
Mercimek Çorbası
Turkish red lentil soup - creamy pureed lentils with lemon. Daily staple.
Ezogelin Çorbası
Turkish bride's soup - red lentil soup with bulgur and mint. Named after a bride.
Medu Vada
Crispy lentil donuts - savory fried urad dal fritters with a crispy outside and soft inside. These are a popular South Indian snack, often served for breakfast or as an appetizer.
Mercimek Köftesi (Turkish Red Lentil and Bulgur Patties)
Mercimek Köftesi are delicious, savory patties made from red lentils and fine bulgur, infused with aromatic herbs and spices. Traditionally served as a vegan mezze or appetizer, they are flavorful, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to make.
Sambar
A flavorful and hearty South Indian lentil and vegetable stew, spiced with tamarind and aromatic spices. A staple accompaniment to many South Indian dishes.
Azifa (Ethiopian Green Lentil Salad)
A refreshing and flavorful cold salad made with tender green lentils, finely diced vegetables, and a zesty mustard-lemon dressing. Traditionally enjoyed during fasting periods, Azifa is a light yet satisfying dish.
Sambusa
Ethiopian Sambusa are savory, crispy fried pastries, traditionally filled with spiced lentils or seasoned ground meat. They are a popular appetizer or snack, especially during festive occasions like Ramadan.
Ye'misir Alicha (Mild Red Lentil Stew)
A comforting and mild yellow lentil stew, a staple in Ethiopian cuisine, especially during fasting periods. This 'alicha' version is distinguished by its lack of spicy berbere, relying on turmeric for its vibrant color and gentle flavor.
Ye'misir Firfir (Spicy Lentil and Injera Salad)
A quick and flavorful Ethiopian dish made by tearing leftover spicy lentil stew (misir wot) and injera bread into bite-sized pieces, then gently warming them together with spiced clarified butter. It's a fantastic way to repurpose yesterday's meal into a satisfying breakfast or light lunch.