Lentil

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less. Contrary to what their name suggests, the color of "red" lentils is actually closer to orange. You can also use brown lentils, but the results will be different. Red lentils fall apart as they cook, creating a creamier base, whereas brown ones hold their shape (and take a little longer to cook).

This dish uses three vegetable-bin staples: onions, celery, and carrots. If you don't have any canned broth on hand, dissolve a bouillon cube in water.

FANESCA Maricel Presilla, chef-owner of the restaurant Zafra in Hoboken, New Jersey, first offered fanesca — a more elaborate rendition of the streamlined dish here — during Holy Week. Now it's one of the restaurant's most popular weekend specials year-round. Traditional accompaniments include bolitas de harina (flour fritters), fried plantains, and bottled hot sauce.

An appealing update of the classic salad.

A make-ahead pantry salad that's friendly on the wallet too.

Savory from chile, ginger, and cumin, these adai are a filling breakfast to power you through the day.

This rich lentil soup is loaded with flavor and texture: coconut milk for creaminess and curry paste for punch, plus tons of spinach and a bit of tiny pasta.

Inspired by the flavors of qorma-e-sabzi, an Afghan spinach stew, this simple soup relies on pantry staples and a box of frozen spinach.

Golden lentil dumplings dunked in creamy yogurt and topped with chaat masala.

This version of Egyptian musaqa’a from author Aisha Abdel Gawad is a vegetarian spin, featuring hearty lentils and smoky eggplant.

Inspired by Middle Eastern mujadara, this rice and lentil pilaf gets a seasonal spin thanks to a tumble of spring-y green vegetables and flavorful tadka.

This creamy, comforting khichdi is ready for any lentil in your pantry. Frozen spinach and fresh herbs keep it bright and perky.

These soy-garlic-braised black lentils are a sweet, salty delight and excellent served warm or cold along with rice.

The famous lentil and rice dish is versatile and takes well to a number of grain and bean substitutions. Don’t skimp on the sizzled spiced onions.

That bag of lentils in the back of your pantry is in for a major glow-up. 

This spinach-packed dal is the lifesaving dinner for nights when we’re strapped for time but still crave something deeply cozy.