Looking to do something different with the lentils sitting in your pantry? In this recipe from her new grain-and-bean-focused cookbook, Grist, chef Abra Berens recommends cooking them just until tender then frying them. Their creamy-crispy texture pairs beautifully with juicy bratwurst and a citrusy mojo sauce that’s also great on blanched vegetables, roasted potatoes, and fish. Use black or French green lentils here, as they hold their shape when cooked and will crisp up better than their larger counterparts.
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What you’ll need
Mesh Sieve
$13 At Amazon
Citrus Juicer
$20 $15 At Amazon
Medium Skillet
$50 At Amazon
Microplane
$18 At Amazon
Recipe information
Yield
4 Servings
Ingredients
1
2
2
¼
⅓
4
1
Preparation
Step 1
Cook lentils in a large saucepan of simmering salted water until tender but still firm, 20–25 minutes. Drain; transfer to a medium bowl. Let cool; pat dry.
Step 2
Place rosemary, garlic, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Heat ⅓ cup oil in a large skillet over medium-high until it begins to shimmer. Pour oil over aromatics in bowl; reserve skillet. Let sit 10 minutes, then whisk in lemon zest and juice; season rosemary mojo with salt.
Step 3
Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 Tbsp. oil in reserved skillet over medium-high. Cook sausages, turning occasionally and pressing down so they are making good contact with the pan, until deeply browned and they have released some fat, 7–9 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.
Step 4
Add lentils to skillet and increase heat to high. Season with salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until most of the lentils are crisp, about 5 minutes.
Step 5
Add cauliflower to bowl with rosemary mojo and toss to coat. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Add lentils and toss again. Add more oil if needed.
Step 6
Divide lentil salad among plates and top with sausages.
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Reviews (15)
Back to TopBon Appétit, do better. “2 small sprigs of rosemary”. The stems on my rosemary plant look very different than those sold packaged at the grocery store. How much is “2 small sprigs” supposed to be? Please list this as a unit measurement equivalent of teaspoons or tablespoons. Please do the same for the lemon juice. Fruits, veggies and herbs come in varying sizes. Help us home cooks by taking the guess work out of your recipes.
Anonymous
Dallas, TX
2/22/2022
I love bratwurst, love lentils and can get along with cauliflower... Decided to give this a try. So good! The rosemary mojo is on point. Use some high quality sausages for sure. The whole combination of crispy lentils, crunchy cauli and a bit of pork is spot on. We'll be adding this to our weeknight rotation for a quick, tasty and relatively healthy go to.
Anonymous
1/6/2022
If you overcook the lentils (like I did), the good news is that lentil/mojo mix makes a GREAT veggie dip.
Anonymous
Baltimore MD
11/14/2021
Made this with beyond brats. This came together quickly with a nice payoff & plenty of flavor. I wasn't sure about the sausage/lentil/raw cauliflower combo & worried this dish would feel like it needed something. I also thought it seemed like a lot of steps . But I was wrong on both accounts. Made in my cast iron pan, which worked great. Will make again.
Anonymous
Seattle, WA
10/6/2021
Didn't really know what to expect as I'm not a raw cauliflower person, but this was shockingly good. That rosemary mojo could go well with many things, I'm already thinking of how to re-purpose it with other veggies. Made the recipe exactly as shown, the crispy lentils are very flavourful and the combination of the pork with the freshness of the cauliflowers just makes sense. Going in my recipe book for sure.
Anonymous
9/20/2021