Lentils in the east are not accidentally called bread for the poor.
The protein content of this amazing multi-colored cereal can actually compete with beef.
From the bean plant prepare wonderful side dishes, soups, cakes, cereals.
Despite the close relationship with peas, lentils have a more refined aroma and less capricious character.
Cooking lentils is easier and faster: it does not require prolonged soaking, changing water.
A lot of dishes can be prepared with lentils, however, this amazing bean culture itself is very tasty.
How to cook lentils - general cooking principles
In stores today you can find red, and green, and yellow, and even black lentils. Even a beginner understands that they will have to deal with different varieties of the product, which require a different approach. Indeed, some varieties are mainly used for salads, others for mashed potatoes or cereals, and others are good as side dishes.
The answer to the question of how to cook lentils depends on the variety. Green beans are boiled longer than everyone else, but they retain their shape, so they are most often used in salads or sprouted to improve the diet. From red, which is prepared very quickly, it turns out a magnificent airy, aromatic mashed potatoes. Brown lentils will also spend quite a bit of time in the pan before turning into a boiling soft porridge.
Most varieties of lentils do not require soaking in water. An exception is made only for green grains: a two-hour water bath is good for them, softens the hard temper and makes cooking easier.
To make a guaranteed tasty dish, you need to first sort through the lentils, remove damaged, spoiled, dirty seeds. Then the beans are washed with running cold water, using a large bowl, pan or colander. According to the rules, you need to take two cups of water on a lentil cup, but for washing it is not essential: you can act on the eye.
Grains are boiled at a quiet boil, so that the process goes evenly, without quickly digesting the upper shell. The process, depending on the variety, takes from 15 to 40 minutes.
• Red (or Orange) Lentils - it’s just grains peeled from the skin (shell from plant fiber), so it is cooked almost instantly, from 15 to 20 minutes.
• Brown lentils requires longer languishing: she will be ready in about thirty minutes.
• Green Flavored Lentils should cook for forty minutes.
To cook lentils for salad, the proportions of grains and water need one to two. If stew or porridge is required, the amount of water can be increased by one glass.
How to cook brown lentils
It is brown lentils that often become the basis of the second course with vegetables or meat. It keeps its shape well, does not require special attention during cooking and, like all other varieties, has a delicate nutty aroma.
Ingredients:
• a glass of brown lentils;
• two glasses of water;
• a spoon of salt.
Cooking method:
Pour the prepared lentils with water in a cooking pot.
Bring water to a boil.
Slightly open the lid and cook at a slow boil for twenty to forty minutes.
After half an hour, try to be prepared.
Stir regularly, but without fanaticism, so as not to destroy the grain structure.
When the lentils are almost ready, salt.
After five minutes, turn off the fire, use lentils to prepare another dish or as an independent dish.
How to cook red lentils in a slow cooker with seasonings
You can’t spoil the porridge with butter, it's true. But in the case of red lentils, you will not spoil it with seasonings, vegetables and pepper. Especially if the kitchen has a slow cooker. Such a lentil porridge can surprise the family.
Ingredients:
• one and a half cups of lentils;
• three glasses of water;
• large onion;
• one carrot;
• three tablespoons of adjika;
• a spoon of vegetable oil;
• half a spoon of black pepper;
• two cloves of garlic;
• salt.
Cooking method:
Prepare the grains for cooking.
Peel the onion, cut into small cubes.
Peel the carrots and grate.
Chopped peeled garlic with a knife.
Preheat a measured amount of water.
In the frying mode, fry vegetables in the multicooker often.
Pour lentils washed in a sieve, pour hot water.
Season everything with adjika, pepper, salt.
Cook in a porridge or rice cooking timer.
After the signal, mix the porridge and serve.
How to Cook Lentils in the Microwave
If you use a microwave, then porridge can be quickly cooked in it. How to cook lentils this way? In principle, the same as with traditional cooking methods. Ingredients are indicated per generous portion.
Ingredients:
• half a glass of red lentils;
• one and a half glasses of water;
• a little salt (a pinch or two).
Cooking method:
Prepare the grains by rinsing them thoroughly in a sieve with cold running water.
To boil water.
Place lentils in a special container for the microwave.
Pour boiling water over it.
Put the container in the microwave and set the maximum mode for ten minutes. Do not cover with a lid.
After turning off the oven, transfer the porridge to a plate, salt, season with spices or use as a side dish for stewed vegetables.
How to cook black lentils with greens
Black bean varieties are rarely found on sale, but this is no less tasty and healthy product. How to cook black lentils? Just like a regular green or red variety. Her grains are small, dense and shiny, reminiscent of exotic beluga caviar, which is why this kind of lentil is called Beluga.
Ingredients:
• a glass of black lentils;
• two glasses of water;
• a spoon of olive oil;
• any fresh greens;
• some salt.
Cooking method:
Go through the cereals, rinse in a sieve with warm or cool water.
Put the seeds in a pan and pour cold water.
Simmer.
After boiling pour oil.
Cook at a slow boil, stirring once every three to four minutes.
When the grains are almost ready, add salt to taste and add spices.
Chop parsley, dill, cilantro.
When serving, sprinkle boiled lentils with herbs.
How to cook lentils in a double boiler
A double boiler can also help in cooking lentils. The grains are guaranteed not to burn, and there is practically no need to follow the process. Compared to traditional recipes, water needs much less. Here's how to cook lentils with a regular double boiler.
Ingredients:
• one and a half cups of any lentil;
• glass of water;
• a spoonful of butter;
• some salt.
Cooking method:
Pour water into a double boiler.
Pour the prepared lentils into the container for special foods.
Pour in water, put oil, add a little salt.
Turn on the device for an hour.
At the end of cooking, try the grain for readiness. If necessary, turn on the double boiler for another ten to fifteen minutes.
How to Cook Lentils - Tips and Tips
Usually cook lentils, pouring it with cold water and bringing to a boil. This is the so-called cold method. It allows you to prevent cracking and sliding of the shell of the seeds, which spoils the aesthetic appearance of the dish.
There is another, so-called hot method: lentil grains are thrown into boiling water. As a rule, they use this method when cooking soups and use green or brown grains.
Salt lentils at the very end of cooking, when it is almost ready. This is done so as not to interfere with the normal digestion of the grain shell. If you add salt immediately, the lentils will take a very long time to cook.
If during the cooking of lentils the water is completely absorbed, but the grain is not yet ready, you should add water in small portions so that there is no strong contrast between the temperature. Too much cold water will stop the process and it will drag out. In addition, the skin of the grains may suffer.
When cooking, lentil grains do not accidentally add olive oil. Just one teaspoon is enough to give the dish a special tenderness and aroma.
Cook lentils and with the addition of aromatic herbs, spices. This type of legumes with sage, rosemary, bay leaf, celery is especially good.
It is very good to combine lentils with fried or stewed vegetables, mushrooms, meat or fish. Excellent saturation, low calorie content make grains a useful element of dietary nutrition.
