Lentil Pasta with Crispy Kale

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients

   7 min hands-on

   • Finely dice shallots and sun-dried tomatoes. Mince garlic.
   • Dissolve yeast extract in hot water to make vegetable broth.
   • Rinse lentils under cold water until clear.
   • Juice lemon and set aside. Remove kale stems and roughly chop leaves.

2. Cook Aromatics

   9 min hands-on

   • Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
   • Add shallots with a pinch of salt and sauté until softened and translucent.
   • Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.

3. Add Spices and Tomatoes

   2 min hands-on

   • Stir in paprika and cumin seeds, toasting until aromatic.
   • Mix in most sun-dried tomatoes, reserving some for garnish.

4. Cook Lentils

   1 min hands-on19 min waiting

   • Add lentils and vegetable broth to the saucepan, stirring to combine.
   • Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender.

5. Roast Kale

   3 min hands-on12 min waiting

   • Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
   • Spread kale on a baking tray, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt.
   • Roast until crispy, flipping halfway through.

6. Cook Pasta

   2 min hands-on8 min waiting

   • Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente.
   • Reserve some pasta water before draining.

7. Prepare Sauce

   4 min hands-on

   • In a blender, combine tofu, nutritional yeast, half of the lentils, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
   • Blend until thick and creamy, adjusting seasoning as needed.

8. Combine Pasta and Sauce

   3 min hands-on

   • Return remaining lentils to low-medium heat, add pasta and sauce, stirring to coat.
   • Gradually add reserved pasta water until desired texture is achieved.

9. Assemble and Garnish

   2 min hands-on

   • Divide pasta into bowls, top with crispy kale and reserved sun-dried tomatoes.
   • Finish with black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil.
   • Cooking tips:
   • For maximum creaminess in the sauce, ensure the tofu is fresh and firm.
   • To prevent the kale from burning, monitor closely and toss halfway through roasting.
   • For a stronger umami flavor, add smoked paprika or soy sauce to the sauce.