The rich, golden-brown lentils are piled high on a white, flat plate, offering a warm backdrop to the bright green, sliced Scallions scattered on top. A side of mildly toasted flatbread offers a rustic appeal. The final dusting of spice mix guarantees the dish looks as delightful as it tastes.

African Spiced Lentils with Scallions

Name: African Spiced Lentils with Scallions
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: African
Ingredients: scallions, 4 finely sliced; lentils, 1 cup rinsed and drained; ground cumin, 1 teaspoon; turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon; cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon; garlic, 2 cloves crushed; lemon, juice of 1; olive oil, 2 tablespoon; salt, to taste; pepper, to taste; flatbread, 2 pieces for serving

Category Main Course

Prep 10 minutes

Cook 35 minutes

Style African

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Vegan

Daily Recipe: March 17, 2025

In the spirit of a cool mid-March day, this vibrant African dish pairs the warmth of spices with the freshness of Scallions. Our star ingredient, Scallions bring a unique, mild onion flavor and a crunchy texture adding depth to this dish.

Ingredients (for 2)

Scallions - 4 - finely sliced
Lentils - 1 cup - rinsed and drained
Ground cumin - 1 teaspoon
Turmeric - 1/2 teaspoon
Cayenne pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
Garlic - 2 cloves - crushed
Lemon - juice of 1
Olive oil - 2 tablespoon
Salt - to taste
Pepper - to taste
Flatbread - 2 pieces - for serving

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍲🔥💧

Rinse 1 cup of lentils and add them to a pot with enough water to cover them by a couple of inches. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25 minutes or until they are tender.
Step 2 - 🍳🌿💥

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat, then add in 2 crushed cloves of garlic and cook for just a minute until fragrant.
Step 3 - 🥣🌶️🍋

Add in the cooked lentils, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, juice of 1 lemon, salt and pepper, into the pan. Stir well and cook for additional 5 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.
Step 4 - 🥙🌱😋

Serve the warm spiced lentils on 2 pieces of flatbread, sprinkled generously with 4 finely sliced scallions. Enjoy your meal!

Additional

Did you know? Lentils are a staple in many African cuisines, especially in North and East Africa. While this recipe uses cumin, turmeric, and cayenne pepper, feel free to experiment with your favorite spice blends. For those who love a little extra heat, Harissa would be a great addition. Flatbreads can be swapped for gluten-free alternatives or even brown rice.