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This week’s recipe will be great for all your holiday parties. A great alternative to the EXTREMELY fatty and major high calorie dips that you always find this time of year.
I promise you, your family and friends will think you’re a gourmet cook if you make this one….so good!
Lentil Walnut Pate
| ¾ cup red or green lentils (red take longer to cook but make a pretty dip) |
| 1 bay leaf |
| 1 ¾ cup walnuts |
| 1 tbsp olive oil |
| 1 tsp crushed garlic |
| 1 jumbo or 2 small onions, chopped |
| 1 tbsp Mirin (a wine made from whole-grain sweet rice- look in Asian food isle-optional) |
| 1 ½ tsp barley Miso (a paste of fermented soybeans used as a flavoring agent in much of Japanese cuisine- look in health food refrigerated section, usually near produce) |
| 1 tbsp ume or umeboshi plum vinegar OR 1tsp umeboshi plum paste (optional) |
| 1 tbsp dried basil |
| Cracked black pepper to taste |
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NOTE: I know some of these items may be hard to find depending on where you live. If you can’t find the Mirin or Umeboshi vinegar or paste then add a little more olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice instead. Not quite as flavorful but still really good. |
| Sort and wash lentils and cover with about 2” of water, add bay leaf and bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Drain and remove bay leaf. |
| Roast Walnuts on baking sheet until light brown and fragrant. Set aside a handful for garnish. |
Sauté garlic and onion in olive oil until soft and light brown.
In a food processor puree walnuts, then add in lentils, onion mixture and then the remaining ingredients. Puree until smooth. Add pepper to taste and chill for about 2 hours. Will keep for 3-5 days in air-tight container in fridge.
Garnish with sprigs of fresh basil and a sprinkling of the roasted walnuts.
Serve at all your parties with fresh veggies, whole wheat pita bread, pita chips, tortilla chips or rice crackers.
A BIG hit at any holiday party! |
Want to learn more about healthy eating? Get tons of great nutrition info, shopping tips, meal ideas and Sooooooooo Much More…Check out my Healthy Grocery Store Tour…CLICK HERE
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