Savvy chefs ready to do more with this oft-overlooked power ingredient can start with nine easy explorations that can fit into most cuisines and concepts.

1. Power Bowls & Composed Salads. Protein-rich lentils can boost the nutrition content of these popular dishes, reducing the amount of animal protein needed to meet nutrient targets. According to Datassential, nearly 40 percent of consumers want to see lentils in these menu applications.
2. Plant/Animal Blends. Reduce meat consumption—and costs—with a 30/70 percent blend of lentils and animal protein in burger patties, meatballs, taco/burrito fillings, meatloaf, pasta sauces, kofta, flatbread toppers and other recipes that feature ground meat.
3. Whole-Food, Plant-Based Crumbles, Fillings & Toppings. Diners continue to seek out less-processed foods, shifting away from complex analogue meats in favor of whole foods. Chefs can create inventive versatile crumbles using lentils and other whole vegetables and grains. Put them to work in the same menu items that benefit from blends.
4. Protein-Packed Sides. Transform a conventional rice pilaf and other grains-based dishes (couscous, quinoa, barley, bulgur) by incorporating lentils, along with aromatics.
5. Globally Inspired Handhelds. Lentils can deliver the protein in trend-forward handhelds and global street-food favorites. Imagine a lentil pâté for a plant-forward banh mi or spiced lentils with colorful vegetables in an Indian “Frankie” (aka roti wrap).
6. Hummus, Dips & Spreads. Blend lentils to a smooth purée and combine with seasonal produce—or global spices—for intriguing weekly specials or LTOs.
7. Crispies & Crunchies. Cooked lentils can be oven-roasted or fried to create unique textures. “They open like a clam shell and are super crispy,” says James Bickmore-Hutt, Corporate Chef, Lentils.org. Toss them while warm with global spice blends to create toppers for rice bowls and salads.
8. High-Protein Snacks. Toss warm oven-roasted or fried lentils with dried fruit, seeds, nuts and chocolate for a traditional sweet trail mix/granola. Sub in savory ingredients to produce a take on chivda, a lentil-based Indian bar snack featuring corn flakes, nuts, golden raisins, curry, mint leaves, garlic and spices.
9. Pickling. Soak cooked lentils in a quick pickle mixture of your choice to create intriguing pops of sour and tart flavors.

Discover recipes and more information at lentils.org/foodservice. For a free menu development session with our chef to turn great ideas into delicious dishes, contact [email protected].