lentils

In Poland, pork sausage — like yesterday's leftover kielbasa — is traditionally served with fried onions, sautéed pierogi dumplings, or potatoes, but if you're looking for something that's a little lighter, consider an unusual kielbasa and lentil salad.

Here, the kielbasa is drained of most of its fat, combined with tender lentils and skillet-browned fennel, tossed in a mustard vinaigrette, and served with crunchy frisée leaves. Make this nutritious salad alternative when you read more

Watching the radiant Slumdog Millionaire cast at the Oscars and the clips from the lush film made me hungry for Indian culture — and Indian food. I've decided to round up an intimate group and host an informal Indian dinner. My girlfriend Emily is bringing the wonderful soundtrack from the film and I'm in charge of the menu.

With fewer people traveling due to the economy, this is a great way to experience an exotic culture in the comfort of your own kitchen. Cooking a meal is more affordable than purchasing a plane ticket, so consider brightening up a Winter's evening with this lively get-together. Jump-start the party with Padma Lakshmi's crispy turkey rolls with mint and date dipping sauce; they should be ready and waiting for guests to arrive.

Shrimp tikka with mango chutney is fragrant, flavorful, sweet, and spicy. For the main course, serve chicken with a fresh, tangy cilantro sauce, white rice, and green lentils with lemon slices and popped mustard seeds. To entice your tastebuds with these dishes, read more

• Winter is an opportune time to bring the grilling indoors. — Serious Eats
• A pro-life group is upset over Krispy Kreme's free inauguration doughnuts. — Eat Me Daily
• Six ways to use citrus as cocktail garnishes. — The Kitchn
• Speaking of citrus, broiled grapefruit is a simple, healthy dessert. — The Epi-Log
• Looking back at George W. Bush's top 10 food moments. — Endless Simmer
• Lentil salad with goat cheese crostini is a gourmet, on-the-go lunch. — Chow

Source

I've invited some friends over this Friday for a holiday cocktail party. Since everyone (including moi!) will be attending a jewelry sample sale before, the snacks must be prepared in advance. Crostini with lentil and green olive spread can be made the night before the party. My dad will bake the brie with mango chutney twenty minutes before we arrive, so it's warm and gooey the second we walk in the door. A smoked salmon platter with dill sour cream waits chilled in the fridge and mini beef slider patties cook quickly.

To look at these recipes, which would be awesome for any holiday event, read more

If you're looking to impress on a weeknight, then this seasonal entrée will certainly do the trick. The halibut takes on a French twist when it's served over a bed of sweet potatoes and lentils, and topped with mustard-tarragon sauce. Save a little extra sauce, whisk with olive oil and toss with fresh greens — et voilà! You've got a salad to add to the mix. Get the recipe when you read more

Like David Chang, I believe this year is all about rice. It's a delicious and ancient staple consumed by more than half the world's population. There are more than 7,000 varieties of rice and countless cultural preparations, so I've decided it's time to race around the world in the comforts of my own kitchen. Naturally I'm inviting you to join me on my rice adventures as I travel the globe experimenting with risotto, sushi, gumbo, and everything in between. To get things started, let's head to India with this rice and lentils with raita. It's healthy, fast, and delicious. Learn how I made it and read more

If you have pork tenderloin on hand, this recipe takes just around half an hour. The dish is inspired by the rustic elegance of French country fare. The household condiment mustard is used to make a crust that seals in the pork's flavorful juices. Pair the meat with prepared lentils and carrots, and you have a hearty meal. To get the recipe, read more

The other day, when I asked my sister what kind of soup she wanted for dinner, she quickly replied lentil. I researched some recipes and started chopping vegetables. Later when we sat down to dinner I realized she was only kidding! Luckily the soup was hearty and delicious and my entire family enjoyed it. The original recipe has you puree the soup, but I left it chunky for texture. The croutons add a nice crunch, but don't directly affect the flavor of the soup. Paired with a green salad and a glass of red wine, this is one excellent Winter meal. To see how I made it, read more