Puy Lentils with Tahini and Cumin

1 cup Puy Lentils (special type of French green lentils)

3 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp black cumin seeds

4 medium tomatoes, peeled and cut into ¼ inch dice

1 ½  cilantro chopped

¼ cup tahini paste

2 T lemon juice

½ small red onion, thinly sliced

½ tsp paprika, to garnish (optional)

salt to taste

Bring a saucepan of water to boil.  Add the lentils and cook 30 mins, until completely cooked.  Drain and set aside.

Put the cumin seeds in a dry pan, heat slowly on the stove (stir often) until the taste goes from bitter to bland. Add a small amount of water and the crushed garlic and allow to continue to cook together until soft.  Add the tahini paste,  ground cumin, four-fifths of the chopped cilantro and lemon juice and continue to heat until the mixture is hot and thickened.  Add the cooked, drained lentils and chopped tomatoes .

Spread the lentil mixture on a flat serving plate and sprinkle with the onion and the remaining cilantro.  Optional: Drizzle with good olive oil and sprinkle with paprika.