Question about French Lentils

[Sal Vanilla]

I just bought some french lentils to have with some salmon come Spring. I have a few questions:

1) Do they taste any different than reg. brown lentils?
2) Do they have to be cooked up differently than browns?
3) Any other good ways to have them besides with salmon?

[mwk]

I love the French lentils. I think they have a more interesting flavor and hold their texture better than the brown ones. Just last week I made this delicious soup with French Lentils. I highly recommend it:

http://www.onceuponachef.com/2013/01/...

[blinknoodle]

French lentils keep their shape much better and I also prefer them in salads (along with the black beluga). They also cook up faster than standard green lentils.

One of my standard potlucks dishes is an 11-spiced lentil salad with currants and capers. Everyone enjoys it.

____
http://tastespace.wordpress.com

[Sal Vanilla]

Ah I did not see it on that link, but found it: http://tastespace.wordpress.com/2011/...

But I am glad you had me roam around because that blog is right up my eating ally! Thank you.

[Sherri]

To my taste buds, green lentils have a 'fresher' flavor than brown lentils. I cooked green lentils for a side dish last evening to accompany lamb.
Sweated leeks, carrots & celery in butter, added lentils, fresh thyme sprigs. SPTT + chicken broth. When almost cooked, I diced a couple of Roma tomatoes and added to finish. Topped with minced parsley for a great side. I made extra to have some already cooked lentils available for:
1. salad
2. soup

EDIT: I just remembered that I added a splash of red wine vinegar at the end of cooking plus a TBLS of tomato paste. The acid gives the lentils a bit of punch and livens their flavor nicely.
For a salad, I use scallions, fresh parsley, diced or grated carrots, walnut oil + red wine vinegar and toasted walnuts. This is an especially nice winter salad when other vegetables are not at their best.

[Sal Vanilla]

Lamb. I can see the earthiness going well.

[sunshine842]

Yes, green lentils have a slightly different flavor -- not enough to make or break a dish, but different.

They're cooked the same

They're also good cooked with a ham hock and some sausage, carrots, and onion to make a petit sale -- a really delicious lentil stew from France

Try them as salads, as a side dish -- they're very flexible, very tasty, and very healthy.

[Sal Vanilla]

Salads? Like with lettuce salads?

I will scan around for a recipe for petit sale.

Thank you.

[sunshine842]

salads like a potato salad