How to Cook Lentils
Lentils are a favourite food in our house. Loved by all — baby, me and even hubby!
Unfortunately, many people overlook them, perhaps due to an awful-tasting meal in the past, or simply because of their appearance.
But, if you’re after cheap, healthy and delicious meal options, you really should give lentils a go.
Here are some reasons why lentils should be one of your favourite foods, too:
- They provide slow burning complex carbohydrates, giving you plenty of energy
- They are so easy to cook — compared to some of the others legumes, lentils are relatively quick and easy to prepare.
- They are very nutritious — a good source of iron, fibre, vitamin B1, folate, and contain many (but not all) the essential amino acids.
- They are low in calories, with around 200 calories for one cup.
So, wondering how to cook lentils? Here are a few suggestions:
Flickr: photobunny
5 quick serving ideas for lentils:
#1 Mix cooked lentils with chopped vegetables, then season with fresh herbs and spices to make an easy salad for your lunch-box.
#2 Make lentil soup with red split lentils, onions, and some carrots.
#3 Lentil mousakka/lasagna — use your regular lasagna recipe, but replace the meat with lentils (pre-soaked).
#4 Make lentil burritos — green lentils work well for this one.
#5 Try a lentil curry with chickpeas or other peas/beans.
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12 Comments
Ruth
08.02.2010
Love the lentil dhal!! One of my favourites. Must try the others.
x
Melanie
08.12.2010
Hi Ruth,
I love lentils, so healthy but really satisfying, too!
Ruth
08.02.2010
Ps… try adding smoked back bacon to the soup! Delicious flavour!!:):)
Menekse
08.04.2010
We add lentils to curry when we make it at home – my brother eats *so* much because of all his training – these are really great for padding out curries/stews etc. and filling him up! Plus, they really are delicious! Thanks for the ideas, Melanie!
Melanie
08.12.2010
Hi Menekse,
I agree, I also add chickpeas to my curries to bulk them out and make the meal go further, too
toko online
08.07.2010
i love lentil…
i found it in mart but didn’t know how to cook it
Melanie
08.16.2010
I hope this has given you some ideas….
Jurga
08.08.2010
I use lentils to make a salad by adding some grilled and chopped bacon, some chopped tomatoes, cucumber, grilled and skinned pepper, avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese and a simple dressing made from olive oil and vinegar (I’ve addapted this recipe from Merchant Gourmet website as it was there I first came accross the Black Beluga lentils).
Melanie
08.16.2010
Agh… sounds delish!!! I might give it a go. What type of lentils do you use for this salad?
Ruth
03.02.2011
This sounds sooooooo good. wouldn’t have thought of lentils in a salad. Thankyou!!!
lipo
08.12.2010
Having a slight Indian background does come in useful sometimes, especially when it comes to the hugely cultured food. From a young age, I have been introduced to lentils, though at start I hated it, it then grew on me and now I have it daily, and love it! It provides the necessary nutrients you need to grow and repair your muscles.
.-= lipo´s last blog ..Liposuction =-.
Taleen
03.02.2011
This has inspired me a little tonight!! Yum! Thank you!!!
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