5 from 81 votes
Spicy Lentil Kalamata Spread
This Spicy Lentil Kalamata Spread blends tender cooked brown lentils pureed with sautéed onion, garlic, and warming spices, accented by finely chopped Kalamata olives. The resulting creamy and slightly spicy spread has a rich texture that firms up after chilling, making it suitable for serving as a flavorful dip or sandwich spread with a Mediterranean twist.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings:
6
servings
Calories:
81 kcal
Course:
Condiments
Cuisine:
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Moroccan
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups of water
- ½ cup brown lentils or green lentils
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ teaspoons coriander seed crushed
- 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil
- ½ cup onion diced
- 1 garlic pressed, clove
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ cup kalamata olives chopped very finely
- salt to taste, sea salt
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, bring the water, lentils, bay leaf, and coriander seeds to a boil. Turn down the heat to medium and cook for 25 to 30 minutes until lentils are tender. Remove bay leaf and drain the lentils in a fine-mesh strainer, reserving 2 to 3 tablespoons of the cooking water.
- While the lentils are cooking, heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the onions and cook until they are soft and translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add garlic and red pepper flakes and cook and stir for an additional minute. Transfer to a food processor.
- Place the cooked lentils, 2 tablespoons of the cooking water, and cumin in the food processor and blend until completely smooth, adding the final tablespoon of the cooking water if needed. (It will thicken considerably once it's been refrigerated). Remove the blade, add chopped olives and mix well. Refrigerate a couple of hours before serving.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Adjust boiling time depending on lentil type; green lentils require longer than brown lentils.
- Simmer lentils gently to avoid overcooking and maintain creamy texture without excess water.
- Substituting vegetable broth for water during cooking adds extra flavor.
- Modify spiciness by changing the amount of red pepper flakes or omitting for milder taste.
- Expect the spread to thicken as it chills due to starch gelatinization from lentils.
Nutrition Information
Calories
81kcal
(4%)
Carbohydrates
11g
(4%)
Protein
4g
(8%)
Fat
2g
(3%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
(6%)
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Sodium
96mg
(4%)
Potassium
182mg
(4%)
Fiber
5g
(20%)
Sugar
1g
(2%)
Vitamin A
55IU
(1%)
Vitamin C
2mg
(2%)
Calcium
21mg
(2%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 81
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 81kcal | 4% |
| Carbohydrates | 11g | 4% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 96mg | 4% |
| Potassium | 182mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 5g | 20% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 55IU | 1% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.