Skip to main content
Epicurious
Cookbooks

Green Lentils with Green Beans and Cilantro

For vegetarians, these refreshing lentils, accompanied perhaps by Yogurt Relish with Okra and a bread, Indian or crusty Western, could make an entire meal. For non-vegetarians, meats or fish curries may be added.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4¿6

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups green lentils
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup 3/4-inch green bean segments
1 well-packed cup finely chopped cilantro
3 tablespoons olive or canola oil
1/8 teaspoon ground asafetida
1/2 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
1 medium shallot, peeled and cut into fine slivers
A few wedges of lemon, if desired

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put the lentils and 4 1/4 cups water in a medium pan and bring to a boil. Cover partially, turn heat to low, and simmer very gently for 20 minutes. Add the salt, cayenne, green beans, and cilantro. Stir to mix and bring to a boil again. Cover partially and simmer very gently for another 20 minutes. Turn off the heat.

    Step 2

    Pour the oil into a small frying pan and set over medium-high heat. When hot, put in the asafetida and cumin seeds. Let the seeds sizzle for 10 seconds. Add the shallots. Stir and fry them on medium heat until they turn reddish. Now pour the entire contents of the frying pan into the pan with the lentils. Stir to mix.

    Step 3

    Offer lemon wedges at the table.

Image may contain: Human, Person, Madhur Jaffrey, and Plant
Excerpted from At Home with Madhur Jaffrey: Simple, Delectable Dishes from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka by Madhur Jaffrey. Copyright © 2010 by Random House. Excerpted by permission of Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. Buy the full book from Amazon.
TagsDalIndianSouth AsianAsianLentilBean and LegumeVegetableGreen BeanCilantroHerbs & SpicesMainDinnerLunchVegetarianVeganDairy FreeGluten FreeNut FreeEasyQuickSimmerCookbooks
Read More
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App This Week
Like a cucumber-cilantro chutney sandwich and scallop piccata.
31 Easter Desserts, Each One Better Than a Chocolate Egg
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Tandoori-Style Roasted Cauliflower
Dressed in a spiced yogurt, with ginger and garlic, then roasted until caramelized and tender.
The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
31 Spring Cocktails for Warmer Days Ahead
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Apple-Walnut Charoset
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Hot Honey–Glazed Salmon
This broiled hot honey salmon recipe results in sweet, spicy, glossy fish coated in a homemade hot honey glaze for an easy weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch.