Lentil Pâté with Nuts and Mushrooms

To prepare this delicious lentil paste with mushrooms, it is important to follow the steps carefully to achieve a fine texture and savory flavor. Start by soaking the dried mushrooms in warm water. Let them rehydrate completely for about 30 minutes until they become soft and fluffy. After they have swollen, drain them well and chop them finely to integrate them more easily into the mixture.

In parallel, wash the lentils well under cold running water, then boil them in a large pot together with the thinly sliced carrot, finely chopped onion, and the four peeled garlic cloves. Also add the drained mushrooms to enrich the flavor of the dish. The water from the mushrooms is very flavorful, so keep it to add during cooking if you notice that the liquid evaporates too quickly. After about 30 minutes, the lentils should be cooked and soft. Check the consistency, and if there is still water in the pot, drain the lentils through a sieve.

Transfer the cooked lentils, carrot, onion, and mushrooms to a food processor bowl or another grinding appliance. Add the ground nuts, tomato paste, one remaining garlic clove, grated lemon zest, finely chopped green onion, and a few fresh thyme leaves. Blend everything until you achieve a smooth and fine paste. Finally, adjust the taste with salt and pepper to your liking.

This paste can be stored in an airtight container and kept in the freezer for up to two months, making it an ideal appetizer for moments when you have guests or simply want to treat yourself. If you prefer to serve it immediately, season it with crunchy crackers, slices of toasted bread, or fresh cucumber slices.

If you choose to serve it on cucumber slices, you can decorate it with a bit of Dijon mustard or green olives stuffed with pimento, which will add a nice contrast of textures and flavors. If you opt for the toasted bread slices, don't forget to sprinkle a little Parmesan on top if you are not fasting. You can also decorate with chopped parsley or dill to add a touch of freshness and color to the dish. This recipe is not only delicious, but it is also healthy, based on nutritious ingredients that will give you energy and good mood.

 Ingredients: 1 cup of lentils (any color you like) 1 sliced carrot water to cover the lentils by one finger 5 cloves of garlic 5-6 dried mushrooms (I used shiitake) 1 cup of ground walnuts 1 tablespoon of tomato paste the zest of one lemon 1 green onion (or more if you like) 1 large onion, finely chopped thyme to taste salt and pepper to taste

 Tags:  onion garlic carrots tomatoes mushrooms lemon nut gluten-free recipes lactose-free recipes vegetarian recipes recipes for diabetics recipes for hepatitis recipes for hypertensives fat-free recipes