Spiced Lentil Dip with Fried Leeks & Onions Recipe
This Spiced Lentil Dip is an aromatic, hearty dish inspired by Middle Eastern mujadara, perfect for a flavorful dinner or appetizer. The combination of tender lentils, warm spices like cumin, allspice, and cinnamon, topped with crispy fried leeks and onions, makes it an irresistible addition to your table.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
- 1 small onion halved and thinly sliced
- 1 small leek halved lengthwise, rinsed, and thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves grated or minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Large pinch of ground allspice
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 ½ cups green French lentils lentilles du Puy or brown lentils
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cinnamon stick about 2 inches long
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Flaky sea salt for garnish
Instructions
Fry the Onions and Leeks:
- Warm the olive oil in a medium-sized pot over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to soften and turn golden.
- Mix in the leeks and continue cooking until they become tender and deeply caramelized, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove half of the onion-leek mixture and set it aside in a small bowl to use later as a topping.
Flavor and Cook the Lentils:
- Add the garlic, cumin, allspice, and cayenne to the pot and stir for about 1 minute, just until the spices are fragrant.
- Add the lentils, bay leaf, cinnamon stick, and 1 ½ teaspoons of kosher salt, followed by 4 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook until the lentils are soft and tender, which can take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes depending on the lentils' freshness.
Mash and Adjust Seasoning:
- Once the lentils are cooked, remove the pot from the heat. Discard the bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Mash the lentil mixture to your preferred consistency, whether smooth or slightly chunky. A potato masher or fork works well, but you can also use an immersion or standard blender for a smoother dip.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more kosher salt if needed and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Assemble and Garnish:
- Spread the mashed lentil dip onto a serving dish or shallow bowl. Drizzle a little extra olive oil over the top.
- Sprinkle the reserved fried onion-leek mixture evenly across the surface of the dip.
- Finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt for garnish, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For a thinner consistency, stir in a small amount of hot water while mashing the lentils.
- Serve with crisp crackers, bread, or vegetables for dipping.
- Add a dollop of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
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