Ingredients

　　

Bland

Step 1

Lentils can be cooked in broth for a nice flavor. But let’s assume they’re already cooked. Lentils pair nicely with many things, including sautéed onions, garlic, tomatoes, thyme, oregano, ginger, barbecue sauce, and vinaigrette. Experiment!

　　

Mushy

Step 2

They can’t be unmushed, so your best bet may be to turn them into soup. Add broth, sautéed onions, carrots, celery, potatoes, and seasonings (see Bland). You can purée some of the lentils to thicken the soup if you like. Overcooked lentils are also a great base for making veggie burgers. Consult a general or vegetarian cookbook. And just so you know, some lentils (red and yellow ones) are pretty much always mushy when cooked and tend to be best for soups and stews.

　　How to Repair Food, Third Edition