Ingredients
Lentil Mixture
- 1 cup dry red lentils
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup Greek yogurt (or thick sour cream)
- 2 medium eggs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Dry Ingredients & Flavorings
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, grated
Topping
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Soak the lentils: Rinse the red lentils thoroughly and soak them in water for at least 2 hours. To speed up the soaking time, you can use hot water. This step softens the lentils and prepares them for blending.
- Blend: Drain the soaked lentils without rinsing again. Use a food processor or an immersion blender to puree the lentils until you achieve a smooth consistency. Blending raw lentils creates the base batter for the bread.
- Mix the batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the lentil puree with eggs, Greek yogurt, olive oil, baking powder, black pepper, salt, fresh dill, and grated cheddar cheese. Stir well using a silicone spatula until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
- Prepare the pan: Line an 8×4-inch (22×10 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some parchment paper hanging over the sides to easily lift the bread out after baking.
- Pour and top: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the surface. Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly over the top for added texture and flavor.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the lentil bread for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Begin checking for doneness at 40 minutes due to oven variations.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper to lift the loaf out onto a wire rack or cutting board. Slice and enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can soak lentils in hot water to reduce soak time from 2 hours to about 30-45 minutes.
- This bread is best stored wrapped in foil or an airtight container and kept refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and use vegan cheese.
- Using fresh dill gives the bread a nice herbal note, but you can substitute with other fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.
- The bread can be frozen after baking; slice before freezing for easy thawing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free