Lentil-Pasta Terrine with Cumin and Prunes
Here is a twist on a very old and traditional Greek dish. Lentils are cooked with pasta, bulgur or rice in the Greek country kitchen. This dish is spruced up with a tiny Greek pasta called kouskousi, and spiced with prunes or other dried fruit, cumin and more.
RATING
SERVES
4
PREP TIME
10 min
COOK TIME
25 min
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups small lentils
- 1 bay leaf
- ¾ cup Greek koukousi or small orzo pasta
- ½ cup extra virgin Greek olive oil
- 1 small red onion finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 scant teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ cup chopped or julienned fresh mint leaves
- 6 large pitted prunes, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
- 4 teaspoons balsamic reduction or balsamic syrup for serving*
- * To make the balsamic reduction place 1 cup of balsamic in a small saucepan together with ½ cup sugar. Bring to a simmer and continue to simmer over low heat until the liquid is reduced by at least half and is the consistency of syrup. Keep in a small jar in a cool, dry place.
Instructions
-
Place the lentils in a medium size pot with enough water to cover by at least two inches and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 20 – 25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but al dente.
-
While the lentils are boiling, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
-
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium, nonstick skillet and sauté the onions until soft and lightly caramelized, about 12 – 15 minutes. Add the garlic and spices to the onions, and stir for half a minutes. Remove from heat.
-
Drain the lentils. Toss the lentils, pasta, onion-garlic-spice mixture, mint and prunes together in a mixing bowl. Add the remaining olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving. To serve, press into a ring mold or cup and invert onto individual plates. Drizzle with the balsamic reduction and serve.
