How to incorporate lentils into fall dishes

Although lentils are available year-round, there’s something about these dried legumes that pairs perfectly with earthier fall dishes. An excellent source of fiber, protein and iron, chefs are using lentils to fill out Meatless Mondays or flexitarian menus. These five examples showcase the ingredient’s versatility with hearty flavors. 

Egyptian Lentil Soup

Red lentil soup flavored with an African spice blend
Center Grove Community School Corporation
Greenwood, Ind.

Mujaddara

Lentils and brown rice, garnished with caramelized onions and Greek yogurt
Detroit Public Schools
Detroit

Moroccan Chicken with Chickpea and Lentil Stew

Marinated chicken breasts paired with a hearty stew of green lentils, kidney beans and chickpeas, garnished with cilantro
New York Presbyterian Hospital
New York City

Cozy red lentil mash

Boiled red lentils mixed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sweet onions
Harvard University
Cambridge, Mass.

Crunchy Bistro Lentil Salad

Lentils, red peppers, scallions, arugula and walnuts, tossed in citrus vinaigrette
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland