29, 2024
Turns out, there’s more to lentils than you thought.
Lentils are a colorful, earthy addition to your pantry.
This legume is versatile enough to work in recipes as diverse as salads, vegan sloppy joes anddal!
Heres what to know about lentils before cooking with these gems.
So, what are lentils?
The humble lentil is a legume.
The legume family is made up of beans, lentils, lupins, peas and peanuts.
Basically, if it has a pod and an edible seed inside, its a legume.
Lentils grow en masse above ground on willowy plants that are grown in clusters.
Each plant produces a few lentils in a pod.
Its a tiresome process, but worth it because lentils are a glorious superfood packed with protein and fiber.
Its a favorite ingredient of South Asiaparticularly inIndia, where much of the worlds lentil crop is grown.
What are the different types of lentils?
Green lentils
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For a slight peppery flavor, green lentils are a beautiful option.
These larger lentils come in a range of green colors.
The arugula-esque flavor packs a punch and is ideal for salads, like thisWild Rice and Lentil Salad.
Green lentils require a longer cooking time, which can be helped along a bit by pre-soaking.
Brown lentils
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Brown lentils pair a clean, nutty flavor with a beautiful creamy texture.
Even if you dont normally enjoy lentils, you might enjoy brown lentils.
Brown lentils dont need to be presoakedthey can be ready in thirty minutes or less.
Excellent as a side dish to meat, they make a healthy alternative to rice or other grains.
These mildly sweet lentils have undergone a process that makes them cook very quickly.
In addition to other health benefits, red lentils pack a lot more potassium.
Rinse and soak the lentils
Black and green lentils benefit from a pre-soaking.
Just rinse them once or twice and cover them with cold water.
Let the lentils sit for at least a few hours or overnight.
Cook the lentils on the stovetop
Add lentils to a saucepan and add cold water to cover.
Add salt to taste and bring water to a boil.
Turn down to a simmer and cook until lentils are tender.
The cook time will differ based on the kind of lentil youve selected.
Others can be added to alentil soupor curry as a thickening base.
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