This is a classic French way to cook lentils, and it’s very easy. Aromatics are sautéed and then simmered with French lentils, also known as Le Puy lentils, for 20 to 25 minutes. It is an easy side dish (shown here with cod baked with prosciutto), redolent of a Provencal feast.

French Lentils With Garlic and Thyme

onion,

garlic,

carrot,

lentils

thyme

bay leaves

salt

Place a large saucepan over medium heat and add oil. When hot, add chopped vegetables and sauté until softened, 5 to 10 minutes.

Add 6 cups water, lentils, thyme, bay leaves and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a fast simmer.

Simmer lentils until they are tender and have absorbed most of the water, 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, drain any excess water after lentils have cooked. Serve immediately, or allow them to cool and reheat later.

Excellent recipe. I served with a topping of Romano cheese - also added chard while cooking.

Adapted this recipe by sautéing vegetables and lentils in duck fat, then simmering in 4 cups of water. After draining, pan fried the lentils along with some Cooper River salmon which gave the lentils a deeper flavor and crisped them up.

A tablespoon of salt is too much, the lentils were too salty.

Used Cuisinart mini prep to finally chop vegetables.
Added leak, radish 
Used vegetable broth instead of water

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.

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.

Made multiple times with some added red wine, tomato paste, and leeks instead of onions. Yum!

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.

CAUTION
One Tablespoon of salt is likely an error.  Maybe start with a teaspoon.

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.

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!

This is delicious. It makes a TON. Next time I would cut the recipe in half!

Absolutely does not disappoint. I’ll back off on the salt a bit next time, though.

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.

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.

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.

Turn cold left-overs into a salad by adding olive oil, vinegar, snipped chives and crumbled demi-sec goat cheese.  Serve with cherry tomatoes.

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

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.

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.<br/>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).

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

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. 

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.<br/>I thought it was a tiny bit salty so will reduce next time. I doubled the carrots and would do that again.

Le Puy lentils taste wonderful and hold their shape well. The leftovers, served cold and dressed with a vinaigrette make for a wonderful salad.

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.<br/>Can't wait to make it again, it will be a great accompaniment to roast pork, grilled fish or a spicy chicken dish.

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.

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.

The addition of a mustard vinaigrette and some chopped parsley transforms this into a delightful first course.

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.

french lentils with garlic and thyme

Total: 40 minutes

Servings: 6

Author : Nigella Lawson

Ingredients

Instructions

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