| Home |   | About |   | A Kitchen Witch? |  

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Mexican Style Beluga Lentils

beluga lentils (TexMex Style)

Hello Dearies!

I hope that all of my wonderful lovelies are doing well. And, on that note, I just wanted to let you all know that things in the hollow are settling down a bit and becoming much more hollow-like again;-), which is quite a relief. Phew...!

I still haven't made anything marvelous or decadent yet, but I did make these beluga lentils the other day. The little container full of these black beauties was in my cabinet since my mother's last visit. She often drives down to visit with a carload of dry, organic goodies from The Dekalb Farmer's Market in Atlanta. Have you been there, Dearies? It's an amazing place-one writer with The NY Times wrote an article about the market, where he claimed there is nothing quite like it in the U.S.

Anyway, point is that I realized I neglect so many of the dried beans and legumes that my Mom lovingly gifts us, so I decided to go ahead and stew some. I didn't expect more than a healthful, wholesome meal. However, I ended up with a protein and spice mixture so scrumptious that I smacked my own rear and screamed 'Yee Haw!!!'.

I'm just kidding. I didn't do that. I'm not even a country music fan. The lentil meal was quite nice though, Dearies (smile).

Here's the recipe:

1 Cup Beluga Lentils (Rinsed)
3 3/4-4 Cups Water
1 Tsp. Red Wine Vinegar
1 Vegetable Bouillon
1 Bay Leaf
1 Tsp. Cumin
3/4 Tsp. Paprika
1/8 Tsp. Onion Powder
1/8 Tsp. Garlic Powder
Black Pepper and Hot Sauce to taste*

Place water, lentils, bay leaf, and bouillon in a saute pan and bring to a boil. Stir. Allow to boil hard for about 45 seconds to a minute. Turn the heat down to where it will keep the lentils at a low simmer and place a lid on the pan at an angle, so that steam can escape. Allow to simmer on low heat, stirring intermittently, for about 20-25 minutes. Once the lentils start to look plump and done, add the vinegar, dry spices, pepper, and hot sauce. Mix and remove from the heat.
*Hot sauce really adds something special to mix-it with the cumin is just wonderful!

Salt to taste and enjoy with rice, mashed potatoes, or with just some slaw as pictured.

Yum Yum!



















p.s. These are called 'Mexican', as Cauldron Boy says they taste like really good Mexican food?!

31 comments:

  1. Stella! It's great to see you posting again! So glad to know things are better now :)

    I've never had beluga lentils (of course) - they sound intriguing!! I love beans and lentils of any kind, in fact I made dal and dosa yesterday for lunch -nom nom nom! And it tasted nothing like "ear wax" LOL

    Hope the rest of your week is just as lovely!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Stella, Welcome back to the world of posting!
    I like your beluga lentil dish and the slaw looks so good on the side, this would make me very happy at meal time:-)ps. thanks for stopping by, I was a little worried.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Stella! I have missed you so much :) It sounds like you have been in and out a lot too. Anything exciting going on? :) These lentils look delicious! I've been trying to eat more lentils after I found out how much fiber they have. Hah!

    ReplyDelete
  4. hello stranger! Lovely way to treat the lentils, I find that red wine vinegar always goes well with them. And a dollop of tzatziki or yoghurt...

    ReplyDelete
  5. OK, Stella!
    mexican style - so these should go with Tacos on a taco night?
    I don't eat tacos - so this would be great for me - and I have the Beluga lentils - but obviously overcooked them last time - I am new to lentils... so this I will be making when we do a Mexican meal!
    THANK YOU!
    :)
    Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hey Stella, I'm glad things are settling down for you. I have a couple bags of lentils in my pantry from the bulk bins. I've been trying to think of what to do with them, other than soup. This does look scrumptious and right up my alley!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Stella! it's so so great to see you back posting again. i'm glad things have begun to settle down for you. i hope they will continue to get much better.

    the only beans i've worked with that look anything similar to beluga lentils is black beans. so my first thought would be to associate them with black beans. i actually really like lentils and beans. because i'm allergic to certain nuts, they are almost like my substitute. they have sort of a nutty taste that is enough to satisfy my nut craving. i really enjoy Mexican food so i know i would enjoy this dish. your presentation looks lovely paired with the slaw.

    by the way, i literally laughed out loud after reading, "I ended up with a protein and spice mixture so scrumptious that I smacked my own rear and screamed 'Yee Haw!!!". still laughing as i type this....teehee. i was about to tell you not to smack yourself, but smack CB instead cause that's what i do to my hubby when i make something smack worthy ;-) ok too much info. anyways, glad you don't really smack yourself cause i've seen all the lovely dishes you make, and that would be a lot of butt smacking (wink). hope you and Cauldron Boy had a wonderful weekend, dear!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Stella!
    So last night, I was eating some canned baked beans. It was my first of the year. I have yet to take in the western diet after my Indonesian-cuisined holiday.
    Today I was running up a 4 km hill. And guess what? I was not feeling well when I reached the top. Hahaha... You don't want to know what happen next. But along the way, I was thinking of beans beans beans. :)
    But if anything, I actually craving for some more legumes. Hmmm..
    Sweet greetings, Pierre.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm glad to see you back, my Stellita, and don't let people make you feel down. You are too precious for that!! And lentils is one of my favorite things..I would love to eat this, sharing lunch with you, to "update ourselves" (I am sure this is not the way you say that in English) I mean "para ponerse al dia" charlando sobre nuestras cosas..para eso estàn las amigas, no?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lucky you to have mom bringing you goodies from her market. I am just starting to learn about lentils. These are just beautiful; great photos as always.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yee haa, Stella your back! Haha, that was so cute of you to say:) I'm glad to hear the things have settled down now and that you are back with us. Before reading the post and name I did think these looked like Mexican black beans, they look so delicious. I love lentils, beans, dried legumes tey are all so versatile and taste great. I must try your recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hey there lady...we missed you...
    Love these lentils, wish I had some for dinner tonight but I already have some red beans going :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I just made a big batch of lentils this weekend! But they weren't Mexican style... I like the sound of those spices. I'm glad to see you're back to the blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Stella, I am so glad to hear that everything is calming down a bit at your side. :-))
    I adore lentils and actually had some red lentil soup for dinner yesterday. Love yours too, so delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  15. This looks wonderful! I bet its very filling and so healthy. I really do love lentils.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Healthy Mexican food! You can never go wrong with that Stella. Especially in the cold weather.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Stella
    I've never heard of these lentils, but want to check 'em out! Your soup looks so good! Let's see, on the "hot sauce to taste" section, I would add a lot! But I like it hot!

    I'm so glad life is getting back to "normal" (whatever that is!). Looking forward to seeing more of your lovely posts!

    ReplyDelete
  18. made me wish that I'd "soaked" some beans today! Oh, you don't have to soak these....!!!
    I'm going to pick some up today - happen to be going to the DeKalb Farmers Mkt...!! M.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Glad you're back, Stella!
    I have a cupboard full of odd grains and beans...half opened packages. I really must get to work and use them up!
    Love lentils and the touch of vinegar is perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  20. SOOoooo good to see you posting again & in lighter spirits, I missed you Stellarina :) Mmmm, now...., this looks pretty interesting, gotta say I've not actually ever tried these lentils but I luurrve good Mexican food., so I am going to try this recipe.., sounds awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello!! my dear I am glad you are posting again, I hope all is well, but I know Cauldron Boy is keeping ya happy!! A great meal for us bean lovers, I totally would of slapped my junk!! lol..great mecian food, I'm sold..thanks for sharing and have a great week!
    sweetlife

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hahaha, next time really do smack your behind and yell Yee Haw! I think that's the right attitude in the kitchen :-)

    ReplyDelete
  23. This whole meal looks fantastic, I am a huge lentils fan. But, right now, I could really go for that slaw!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh My!!! I'm loving those lentils!! That last photo is simply stunning. I've been in a bit of a rut lately, I'm going to break out with these!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Missed you!!! Glad you are back to posting and that things are returning to normal. I too seem to forget about all the dried beans and things in my cupboard ... aren't beluga lentils nice? Lovely dish.

    ReplyDelete
  26. so good to hear things are getting better with your mother in law.
    it's the first time I'm hearing about these kind of lentils. i love all kinds of legumes and your dish sounds delicious.

    have a wonderful weekend Stella, thanks for the recipe

    ReplyDelete
  27. Stella!!!

    I'm back :)

    ~Le

    http://vsualndulgence.wordpress.com/

    ReplyDelete
  28. I just had to say this is an awesome recipe! I loved it, thanks for coming up with it! Yummers.

    ReplyDelete

Please do comment, Dearies!