How to cook lentils
Lentils are an unusually useful representative of the legume family, they have a beneficial effect on the metabolic processes of the body, and are indispensable for vegetarians and people who are fasting.
Let's consider how to cook lentils so that it is interesting, varied, simple and tasty.
Lentils are good and convenient in that they do not require soaking, only the green variety of lentils will take a little longer to cook if not soaked. You need to cook lentils in a 1: 2 ratio with water, if soup is being prepared, the amount of water increases.
Different varieties of lentils are suitable for mashed potatoes (Egyptian red), side dishes (brown), and even salads (French green lentils). Residents of the East constantly use lentils in their dishes, because they do not give heaviness and stomach bloating, like peas, but they are very nutritious.
Indian lentil soup
Ingredients:
Red lentils - 200 gr.
- Bulb onions - 1 pc.
- Garlic - 3 teeth.
- Tomato - 1 pc.
- Fresh chili pepper - 1 pc. (optional)
- Lemon juice - 1 tsp
- Olive oil - 2 tbsp. l.
- Zira - 1/2 tsp.
- Mustard seeds - 1/2 tsp
- Turmeric - 1/4 tsp
- Garam masala - 1/2 tsp
- Salt to taste.
Pour the washed lentils into boiling water and cook for 15 minutes. Pour dry mustard into the oil heated in a deep frying pan (saucepan), stir vigorously for 20 seconds, add chopped onion, turmeric and cumin, cook with constant stirring for 2 minutes. Chop the garlic and add to the pan, mix, after a minute add finely chopped tomato and chili pepper (after removing the seeds from it), mix, cook for 2 minutes. Put lentils into the aromatic mixture, add the water in which it was cooked, add garam masala, salt and stir. Cook for 5-7 minutes so that the lentils have time to absorb the aroma of spices. Serve with fresh cilantro.
Lentils with vegetables
Ingredients:
Lentils - 200 gr.
- Bulb onions - 1 pc.
- Garlic - 2 teeth
- Cherry tomatoes - 10 pcs.
- Sunflower oil - 1 tbsp. l.
- Bay leaf - 1 pc.
- Salt, ground black pepper, herbs - to taste.
Pour washed lentils and bay leaves into boiling water, cook for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, fry finely chopped onion, chopped garlic for 2-3 minutes, add cherry halves to them (tomato paste or chopped regular-sized tomatoes), stir, warm up and send to lentils. Cook for 10-15 minutes, depending on the type of lentil. Stir occasionally and taste so that the lentils do not boil and lose their shape. Serve with herbs. An excellent independent dish for fasting or a side dish for fish, poultry or meat dishes.
Lentil cutlets
Ingredients:
Red lentils - 200 gr.
- Bulb onions - 1 pc.
- Tomato - 3 pcs.
- Olive oil - 2 tbsp. l.
- Cilantro - bunch
- Curry - 1 tsp
- Flour - 50 gr.
- Salt, ground black pepper - to taste.
Pour the washed lentils, finely chopped onions, tomatoes, peeled and diced with water, bring to a boil and cook for 15-20 minutes. Season with salt, add spices and cook for 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat, put in chopped cilantro, stir and cool. If the lentils are too dense, crush the mass a little with a crush. Form cutlets (add an egg if desired), roll in flour and fry in olive oil for 2 minutes on both sides until golden brown. Serve with crispy lettuce.
Lentils with chicken
Ingredients:
Green lentils - 200 gr.
- Chicken breast - 1 pc.
- Bulb onions - 1 pc.
- Carrots - 1 pc.
- Garlic - 2 teeth
- Sunflower oil - 2 tbsp. l.
- Salt, ground black pepper, parsley - to taste.
Fry chopped onions and carrots on a coarse grater over medium heat for several minutes, add chopped chicken to them, cook for 5 minutes and add garlic. If you have a cauldron or a saucepan with a thick bottom, then you can start cooking immediately in it, otherwise - fry vegetables and chicken in a frying pan, then transfer to the pan. Add washed lentils, cover with water until the dish is completely covered, let it boil, reduce heat and cook, covered, for 20 minutes. Taste the lentils, if they are almost soft, add salt and pepper, simmer for another five minutes, add finely chopped parsley and set aside for 10 minutes. Serve with fresh vegetable salad.
Interesting ideas and options on how to cook lentils can be found in our Recipes section.
Author: Victoria N. (specially for Calorizator.ru)
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