Lightly Spiced Lentil Bread
This lentil bread is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy a classic Indian flatbread. The lentils provide a hearty and flavorful base, while the spices give the bread a warm and aromatic flavor. Best of all, this bread is easy to make and can be enjoyed with a variety of dishes.
Lentil bread is a staple in many Indian households. It is a versatile bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is also a great way to use up leftover lentils. This recipe for lentil bread is a bit different from the traditional recipe in that it uses a combination of green and red lentils. This gives the bread a more complex flavor and a beautiful golden color. I also like to add a bit of cumin and coriander to the dough, which gives the bread a warm and aromatic flavor.
Lightly Spiced Lentil Bread Lightly Spiced Lentil Bread Lightly Spiced Lentil Bread Lightly Spiced Lentil Bread
Prep time: 30 | Cook time: 20 | Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 250g dried green lentils, rinsed and picked over
  • 3 cups warm water
  • 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
  • 2 heaped tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tbsp ground coriander
  • 1 heaped tbsp ground turmeric
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil, plus extra for greasing
  • 200g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
Instructions
  1. Cook the lentils: Place the lentils in a pan and pour over the warm water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape.
  2. Drain the lentils: Once cooked, drain the lentils in a sieve and rinse under cold water until cool.
  3. Mash the lentils: In a large bowl, mash the lentils until they form a coarse paste. Don't over-mash, as the texture of the bread will be better if there are still small lentil pieces.
  4. Add the spices and salt: Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, salt, and olive oil to the lentils and mix well.
  5. Add the flour: Gradually add the flour to the lentil mixture, mixing well until a dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky, but not too wet. If it's too wet, add a little more flour. If it's too dry, add a little water.
  6. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.
  7. Let the dough rest: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a tea towel, and let it rest in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  8. Shape the bread: On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough into 6-8 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a flat oval loaf about 1 cm thick.
Why It Works
  • The combination of green and red lentils gives the bread a more complex flavor and a beautiful golden color.
  • Adding cumin and coriander to the dough gives the bread a warm and aromatic flavor.
  • Using self-raising flour makes the bread light and fluffy.
  • Resting the dough allows the gluten to relax, which makes the bread more tender.