Easy Moroccan Lentils Recipe

Lentils are the ultimate food. They are healthy, filling, and oh so good! When it comes to meal planning, these Moroccan lentils fit right in. This Moroccan Food recipe doesn’t put a dent in the budget and can be saved as one of those days you don’t feel like making a huge meal but still want something healthy.

I can remember one night my mother-in-law asked if she should make lentils when we had nothing prepared for dinner. It was about 5:00pm already and I was thinking that this would take a long time. The last thing I wanted was for her to stay at the stove for 2 hours to make lentils.

She waved at me like “pffft” and said, no it will take 20 minutes.

Well, hello easy dinner, they actually were! Now, this is because she used the pressure cooker (or instant pot) but they really are so quick to make. They could even be thrown into the slow cooker for the day on low!

Now, when I know I am going to make lentils, I like to soak them for 30 minutes or so beforehand, but that’s just because lately I’ve been using the stovetop method for my cooking. We have a new induction stove and the pressure cooker doesn’t get along with it so well.

I need to get out the electric pressure cooker from the boxes downstairs! We moved and I never unpacked this beauty. (Update: I now have a glorious Instant Pot that an amazing friend gifted me and I LOVE it!)

What are the Health Benefits of Lentils?

Here are some amazing health benefits to eating these Moroccan Lentils:

1. Lower Cholesterol – Lentils help to reduce blood cholesterol since it contains high levels of soluble fiber.
2. Heart Health – Lentils are also a great source of folate and magnesium, which are big contributors to heart health.
3. Digestive Health – Insoluble dietary fiber found in lentils helps prevent constipation and other digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis.
4. Stabilized Blood Sugar – soluble fiber traps carbohydrates, slowing down digestion and stabilizing blood sugar levels.
5. Good Protein – Of all legumes and nuts, lentils contain the third-highest levels of protein.
6. Increases Energy – Lentils are a good source of iron – key to energy production and metabolism.
7. Weight Loss – One cup of cooked lentils only contains about 230 calories, but still leaves you feeling full and satisfied.

Do you have to soak lentils before cooking them?

It’s not required to soak lentils beforehand but if you do you can reduce cooking time by half!

Before cooking, you should rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove any debris or shriveled lentils.

What vegetables go well with lentils?

Sometimes I thrown in some carrots for some added sweetness, along with the sweet onion. But you can also throw in some chopped red chard, spinach or kale.

And then…as if these easy and cheap things needed any more praise…you can use the lentils for days afterward in warm salads, this amazing Turmeric Lentil Soup and meatless recipes like sloppy joes or shepherds pie! You can also use lentils to make this delicious Lentil soup.

Ok, now on to how to you make this super awesome and crazy easy Moroccan lentils dish.

Delicious Moroccan Recipes

• Sweet Moroccan Bread (Krachel)
• Loubia – Moroccan White Beans
• Moroccan Semolina Bread Recipe
• Healthy Moroccan Chickpea Carrot Stew

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Vegetarian Moroccan Lentils

This is a great recipe to be eaten with a loaf of crusty bread and some cheese!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups lentils
• 2 medium tomatoes, grated
• 1 medium onion, grated
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 4 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and/or cilantro
• 2 1/2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon refrigerated ginger in jar
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/3 cup olive oil

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients in a pressure cooker or pot. Add 2 liters (about 2 quarts) of water, and bring to a simmer.
2. Pressure cooker/Instant Pot method. Cover, and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. If the lentils are still submerged in sauce, boil on sauté method to reduce the liquids so that the sauce is ample, but not watery. Adjust the seasoning if desired, and serve with hot sauce, if desired.
3. Pot method. Cover, and simmer the lentils over medium heat about 1 1/2 hours, or until the lentils are tender and the sauce is not watery. (If the liquids reduce too much during cooking, add a little water to prevent the lentils from burning.) Adjust the seasoning if desired, and serve with hot sauce, if desired.
4. Scoop up the lentils with crusty bread, or eat them with a spoon.

Moroccan White Beans {Loubia}

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