Spicy lentils with honey walnut cauliflower

Chef
Deborah A. Alexander
Hospital
Stanford Health
Cook time
35 minutes
Yield
20 servings
Recipe type
Plant-based
winner
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Spicy lentils with honey walnut cauliflower
ingredients
Ingredients
10 cups lentils
6 3/4 quarts water
10 ounces red bell pepper, small dice
10 ounces carrots, small dice
10 ounces frozen peas
10 ounces small yellow onion, small dice
5 ounces garlic, minced
5 ounces fresh ginger, minced
20 fluid ounces sesame oil
10 teaspoons chili sambal
10 ounces green onions, thinly sliced
5 fluid ounces low sodium soy sauce
3 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt
1 1/4 cups honey
1 1/4 cups seasoned rice vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
5 pounds cauliflower
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 1/4 cups toasted walnuts
preparation
Instructions
1. In a sauce pot, combine the lentils and water, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes, checking the lentils for doneness. They should be tender to the bite but hold their shape. When done, strain the lentils from the water and spread on a sheet pan in a single layer to cool completely.
2. Dice the red bell pepper, onions, and carrot to be about the same size as the peas; set aside for later use.
3. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, add 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil. Then add onions, garlic, ginger, and carrots and cook for 1 minute. Add the bell peppers and lentils and cook for 30 seconds. Add the peas, soy sauce, sambal, and the rest of the sesame oil, cook until everything is hot and cooked through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Mix the yogurt, honey, vinegar, and salt until smooth.
5. Heat the oven to 375°F. Toast the walnuts for 3 to 5 minutes. Cut cauliflower into bite-sized florets. Toss with cornstarch and shake to remove excess. Season with salt and pepper to taste. On a sheet pan, bake the cauliflower until cooked and tender. In a bowl, mix hot cauliflower and walnuts with the sauce.
6. In a bowl, place 1 cup of the lentil mixture topped with 1/2 cup of the cauliflower and garnish with green onions.

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