Fruit Pizza with Chilled Almond & Lentil Crust

10 –Crust 1 cup (250 mL) toasted almonds 1 cup (250 mL) cooked split red lentils or canned lentils, drained & rinsed 3 Tbsp (45 mL) honey 2 tsp (10 mL) lemon juice 2 tsp (10 mL) lemon zest 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract ½ cup (125 mL) coconut flakes 3 Tbsp (45 mL)

French Lentil Soufflé with Star Anise by Chef Michael Smith

France invented cuisine. Many of the world’s finest restaurants are French and so is the world’s premiere ranking and rating system for cuisine, the stars of Le Guide Michelin. Le Puy-en-Velay is further blessed with surrounding fields of world famous lentils and the eponymous restaurant of Chef Francois Gagnier. Like any great chef, Francois is intensely committed to the products of his region. He served me a 7-course lentil tasting menu in his Michelin-starred restaurant. The whole meal was inspiring but the last course blew me away. Imagine a classic light soufflé, anchored with earthy lentils, enhanced with aromatic vanilla and bound together with mysteriously harmonious star anise!

This recipe is from the France webisode of Lentil Hunter with Chef Michael Smith.

Festive Lentil Crisps

These crunchy, customizable crackers are baked twice – first as a loaf, which is then thinly sliced and baked again until toasted and crisp. The cranberries and green pumpkin seeds are festive, but feel free to swap the seeds for pecans or the cranberries for chopped dried apricots.

Espresso Marinated Lamb Chops

6 –Marinated lamb: 8 lamb loin chops 2 Tbsp (30 mL) ground espresso 1 garlic clove, minced 3 Tbsp (45 mL) olive oil ½ tsp (2 mL) ground black pepper ½ tsp (2 mL) whole grain mustard ½ cup (125 mL) red wine ¼ tsp (1 mL) coarse salt 1-2 Tbsp (15-30 mL) canola oil,

Eggnog Scones

Eggnog makes a deliciously spiced, sweet scone – and it’s a great way to use up any leftover ‘nog. Serve these warm for a festive breakfast or brunch, with a hit of added protein and fibre or as a nice finish to a big holiday feast. For an extra indulgence, add a handful of white chocolate chunks.

Easy Lentil Cassoulet

Lentils and sausage are a match made in heaven. This cassoulet only takes five minutes to prepare and your oven will do the rest of the work!