Servings: 8to 10 appetizer servings (makes about 3 cups)
Ingredients
3/4cupdried green lentils (lentils de puy)
3cupswater
1bay leaf
3tablespoonsolive oil (divided use)
1small, yellow onion, chopped
6clovesgarlic, peeled and coarsely chopped
1tablespoonmirin
1 1/4cupswalnuts, lightly toasted (for 6 - 12 minutes at 350º) and cooled
1/3cupfresh cilantro, basil or parsley, plus extra for garnish, chopped
1tablespoonchopped fresh thyme, oregano or marjoram, chopped
3tablespoonswhite or yellow miso paste
1 1/2tablespoonsumeboshi paste
3/4teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper
extra olive oil, for drizzling
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils, water and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook, partially covered and stirring occasionally, until the lentils are very tender (but not falling apart), 20 - 30 minutes. Drain, discard the bay leaf, and cool completely (you can speed this up by spreading the lentils out on a plate and sticking them in the fridge).
Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and saute, stirring frequently and reducing the heat if necessary, until the onions are golden, about 15 minutes. Stir in the mirin and remove from the heat. Cool completely (to speed up the process, see lentils, above).
Place the toasted and cooled walnuts in the bowl of a food processor and puree until it looks like nut butter, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the cooled lentils and the onion mixture and puree smooth. Add in the herbs, miso, umeboshi, pepper, and remaining tablespoon of olive oil, and blend until smooth.
Serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Drizzle with olive oil and chopped fresh herbs, and serve with crackers or sliced baguette and cornichons or olives.
Notes
Adapted from the Real Food Daily Cookbook.Miso, umeboshi paste and mirin can all be found in hippy health food stores/Whole Foods in the Asian foods aisle, or at Asian (Japanese) markets. Look for miso that is stored in the refrigerator rather than shelf stable, as it will contain all the beneficial bacteria and probiotics of which miso is full.Don't worry about the pâté's lack of salt - the miso and umeboshi paste both contain the salt needed to give the pâté just the right amount of flavor.Nutritional values are based on one of eight servings.