As the weather begins to cool and fall arrives, I wanted to spotlight Clementine’s red lentil chaat – a true comfort dish created by James Beard Award Finalist, Chef John Russ of Clementine. It’s the perfect choice for the season, offering warm, evocative flavors in every bite.
Chef and owner John Russ of Clementine drew inspiration for this dish from Mexican street corn. Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, it’s a dish that welcomes everyone to the table. The dish is packed with healthy fats and fiber, making it nourishing as it is delicious.
At the heart of its irresistible flavor is Clementine’s signature lime butter, adding depth and brightness to every bite. Served warm, the red lentil chaat is the perfect companion for a crisp, breezy fall day.
We’re excited to share a special gift with your audience, a full recipe for Clementine’s beloved house favorite, red lentil chaat. Your audience will be the first to receive this recipe. Find the recipe below:
| John Russ' Red Lentil Chaat | |
| Garnishes & Toppings - Crispy fried shallots - Crispy fried garlic - Fresh cilantro or micro cilantro - Mexican crema - Crumbled or powdered Cotija cheese - 1 lime (for zest and juice) | How to prepare red lentils Ingredients - 1 cup split red lentils - 2 cups vegetable stock - 1 clove garlic, crushed - 1 tbsp olive oil Instructions 1. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. 2. Add crushed garlic and cook gently until aromatic. 3. Stir in lentils, toasting them in the oil for 1–2 minutes. 4. Add vegetable stock. Cook until all liquid is absorbed and lentils are tender. 5. Remove from heat and let cool. |
| How to prepare lime butter Ingredients - 8 oz unsalted butter, softened - Zest of 1 lime - 1 tsp dried lime zest - Salt (to taste) - 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper - ½ tsp sumac - ½ tsp ground coriander - ½ kaffir lime leaf, finely chiffonade Instructions 1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor. 2. Blend until creamy, smooth, and uniformly mixed. 3. Transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to use. | How to assemble Red Lenti Chaat Ingredients - 1 tbsp finely minced shallots - 1 tbsp finely chopped parsley - 2 tbsp Lime Butter - ½ cup vegetable stock - 2 cups cooked red lentils - 1 tbsp olive oil Instructions 1. In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. 2. Add shallots and sweat until translucent. 3. Stir in parsley and cooked lentils. 4. Add vegetable stock and Lime Butter; stir until smooth and fully combined. 5. Transfer to a serving bowl. Final Assembly & Plating 1. Arrange toppings on the lentil mixture in “pie-chart style” sections: - Cotija cheese - Crispy fried garlic - Crispy fried shallots - Cilantro or micro cilantro - Mexican crema 2. Drizzle fresh lime juice and sprinkle zest over the entire dish before serving. |
San Antonio locals and travelers can enjoy the red lentil chaat at Clementine. Please be advised that Clementine offers a weekly rotating menu. For those outside the city, the beloved red lentil chaat can be brought to home kitchens with this quick and easy recipe.
More Information
About John
Chef John Russ, a 2023 James Beard Awards Finalist in the Best Chef: Texas category, was born and raised in New Orleans and credits his grandmother's quenelles de brochet for expanding his palate beyond PB&J. He studied at Delgado Culinary in New Orleans and went on to work in fine dining at the Ritz Carlton and then The Capella Group. John moved to San Antonio in 2012 and felt right at home with the city's food community. As Alamo City Provisions, John and his wife, Elise, organized a well-received series of pop-up dinners that showcased San Antonio's growing food scene and culinary talent. Encouraged by the popularity of the dinners and support from friends and family, John and Elise established their own restaurant group in 2016.
John is an advocate for bringing about much-needed change to the industry in the areas of food sourcing, sustainability, and industry support. He is also firmly dedicated to working alongside the National and Texas Restaurant Associations to support bipartisan, common-sense immigration reforms that expand U.S. employers’ ability to hire a legal workforce. Grateful for an amazing group of friends, John is thrilled to be growing his family and business in San Antonio.
About Clementine
Opened in 2018 in the Castle Hills community of San Antonio, Clementine is a family-owned neighborhood restaurant serving seasonal, innovative eats in a modern and lively atmosphere. Led by Chef John Russ, a 2023 James Beard Award Nominee for Best Chef: Texas, and Pastry Chef Elise Russ, the menu features bold, globally inspired flavors through a rotating selection of small plates, generous platters, produce-forward “sideboard” options, and nostalgic, imaginative desserts.
Many guests choose the signature Feed Me—a six-course, family-style dining experience where Chef Russ and team create a personalized menu for the table based on seasonal ingredients and creative pairings. In addition to dinner service Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Clementine offers lunch on the third Friday of every month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Clementine is also home to The Juice Box, a sommelier- and Chef Russ–curated monthly wine club showcasing unexpected, highly drinkable bottles to be enjoyed at home. For special occasions, the restaurant is available for private buyouts, offering a warm, intimate setting for all kinds of celebrations. Clementine @Home extends the experience even further, with a fully staffed, in-home dining service that brings Clementine’s hospitality and flavor to your table.
Ranked one of the top two best restaurants in San Antonio by the San Antonio Express-News, Clementine is located at 2195 NW Military Highway, San Antonio, TX 78213. For more information, call (210) 503-5121 or visit www.clementine-sa.com. Follow on Instagram @clementine.sanantonio and like on Facebook @Clementine.SanAntonio.
Awards and Accolades: John Ross
- 2021 Best Restaurant by San Antonio Magazine
- 2024 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Winner - Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year
- 2025 Clementine ranked #2 in the city on San Antonio Express-News “Top 50 Restaurants”
- 2025 San Antonio Business Journal Impact Award
- 2024 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Winner - Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year
- 2025 Clementine ranked #2 in the city on San Antonio Express-News “Top 50 Restaurants”
- 2025 San Antonio Business Journal Impact Award