Red Lentil Pockets with Caramelized Onions & Pickled Carrots
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Make-ahead vegetarian wraps that combine caramelized onion, red lentils, and quick-pickled carrots. Reheat in the microwave, in the oven, or in a lightly greased pan on the stove.
Serves: 6
Ingredients
For the carrots:
  • 3 large carrots, peeled and cut into a julienne
  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup vinegar
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • pinch of cinnamon
  • pinch of ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
For the lentils:
  • 1½ cups red lentils
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • juice of ½ a lemon or lime
For the onions:
  • Olive oil
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt
To assemble the wraps:
  • 6 wraps
  • 6 slices provolone
Instructions
Make the carrots:
  1. Place the carrots in a bowl. In a small pot, bring the water, vinegar, sugar, spices and salt to a boil. Pour over the carrots and set aside while you do the rest of the prep.
Caramelize the onions:
  1. First, make the caramelized onions. Film a heavy pan with olive oil and set over a medium flame. Add the onions and cook, stirring very infrequently, until they sizzle and being to soften. Turn the flame to low, and allow the onions to cook very slowly, caramelizing as they go. During this time, it is important to make sure the onions are spread as evenly as possible across the pan. Every 10 minutes or so, scrape the bottom and redistribute the onions so each gains the maximum amount of surface area. The intention is to slowly cook the onions so they sweeten in their own juices. If you stir too often, the onions will turn to mush. This process takes about 40 to 50 minutes. Add the garlic and sprinkle with salt. Cook 1 minute more, then remove from the heat.
Cook the lentils:
  1. While the onions are caramelizing about 3 quarts of water to boil in a pot. Add ½ teaspoon salt and the lentils. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the lentils are very soft and just beginning to fall apart. Drain in a wire mesh strainer, stirring the lentils to get out as much water as possible. They’ll sort of fall apart as you do this, which is what you want. Drain off any extra water, then stir in the paprika, oil, salt, and lemon or lime juice. Set the lentils aside to firm up even more. If they seem too soupy to make wraps with, let the, solidify in the fridge for an hour or so.
Assemble the wraps:
  1. For each wrap, place about ¾ cup of lentils in a line down the middle. Top with a few spoonfuls of caramelized onions, about ¼ cup of the carrots, and a slice of provolone. Wrap up, tucking in the sides as you go.
Recipe by Big Girls Small Kitchen at http://www.biggirlssmallkitchen.com/2015/08/red-lentil-pockets-caramelized-onion-pockets-pickled-carrots.html