How to cook lentils

On the shelves of stores, you can find packages with green or red seeds labeled "lentils". This product is not in high demand among Russians, although lately, it has started to gain attention. And that's a good thing. After all, lentils are high in protein; they are the best substitute for meat and dairy products, suitable for those who want to lose a little weight. Lentils are often included in dietary and vegetarian diets.

Useful and tasty facts about lentils

When planning to introduce lentils into your diet, it is essential to familiarize yourself with this product – learn everything about the benefits and harms of the seeds, as well as their composition. Let's get to know lentils better.

1. In stores, you can find yellow, red, brown, green, and black lentils. However, the seeds of red and green varieties are the most popular in our country.
2. Green lentils retain their shape when cooked, so they are used for preparing side dishes, added to soups and salads. They resemble a flat plate with a diameter of up to 9 mm. They are sold unpeeled – right with the shell. A leader in fiber content.
3. Red lentils (also known as "Egyptian") are rounded, with a diameter of about 3 mm. Its taste is more piquant than that of green seeds, it cooks quickly, and if you keep lentils on the stove for a long time, it will turn into porridge. It is perfect for purées and soups. Red lentils are rich in protein and iron.
4. It is a protein-rich product. In 100 grams of dry green lentils, there are 24.3 grams of protein. In red seeds, it's slightly less - 23.8 grams of protein.
5. It is a leader in vitamin B9 content – in 100 g of dry grain, there is 119.8% of the daily norm. It also contains a good amount of vitamins B1, B5, and B. Other vitamins are present in insignificant amounts.
6. The seeds are characterized by a high content of iron, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium in their composition. Lentils contain sufficient amounts of copper, manganese, boron, iodine, zinc, and other elements.
7. In the composition of the seeds, there is the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin in the body. This substance positively affects a person's emotional state - reducing anxiety and enhancing mood.
8. A small portion of lentils can satisfy the body for the whole day. It is one of the most filling foods.
9. Lentils should be introduced into the diet carefully for people with intestinal and stomach diseases (for example, gastritis) as well as liver diseases. This grain takes a long time to digest in the body.

How to cook green lentils as a side dish

Cooking green lentils in a pot is not as difficult as novice cooks think. For this purpose, you will need a large pot with a thick bottom, water, spices, and of course, seeds for cooking.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Sort the "legume" seeds and wash them thoroughly in a bowl of water until the liquid becomes clear. Change the water several times.
2. Pour cold water into the pot, following the ratio of 1:2 (grains/water).
3. Cover the pot with a tight lid and then transfer it to the turned on burner.
4. When the water boils, reduce the heat. Add green lentils to the pot. Stir with a spoon.
5. Cook on medium heat until ready. Do not open the lid completely; leave a small gap for steam to escape.
6. Occasionally stir the legumes with a spoon so that they do not stick to the walls.
7. Cook the green lentils for at least 30 minutes. The time should be counted from the moment the water boils again after the grains are added.
8. Ten minutes before the cooking time is up, salt the water. There is no need to do this earlier; lentils are cooked in unsalted water.
9. If the time has not elapsed, but the water has already boiled away, add a little boiling water to the pot.
10. Transfer the cooked grains to a colander, and gently stir, trying not to damage the seeds.
11. Return the lentils to the pot, add a piece of butter, and let them sit for 10 minutes.
12. Serve the dish on plates and present it as a side dish to meat dishes.

Good to know. Is regular green lentils getting boring? Want something original? During cooking, add spices: sage, clove, bay leaf, or some exotic seasoning.

Earlier, we already prepared porridge from green lentils.

How to cook red lentils as a side dish

How to cook lentils in a multicooker

Cooking legume grains in a multicooker is simple and quick, and the finished dish is rich, aromatic, and very hearty. We have already learned to cook lentils with water, so let's try to make some original dish, with the addition of vegetables and spices.

Ingredients:

• green lentils – 1 cup;
• large carrot – 1 piece;
• drinking water – 2 cups;
• sunflower oil – 1 tablespoon;
• garlic – 1 large clove;
• table salt – to taste.

Preparation:

1. Measure the required amount of lentils and water using a measuring cup. Follow the proportions strictly, do not deviate from the recommended norm.
2. Thoroughly washed vegetables, peel them, and then chop – grate the carrot on a coarse grater, and finely chop the garlic.
3. Prepare the multicooker bowl – rinse well inside and dry it.
4. Pour sunflower oil (be sure to use refined) or olive oil into the bowl. Add the chopped carrot and garlic and fry for 10 minutes, selecting the "Frying" mode. Periodically open the lid slightly and stir the sauté with a wooden spoon.
5. At this stage, add the remaining ingredients to the carrot – lentils, salt, and water. Choose the mode "Porridge" or "Buckwheat" from the list and set the time – 35 minutes. If you do not have such a mode, select "Grains" and set the cooking time to 30 minutes.
6. After the sound signal, slightly open the multicooker lid and taste the dish. If the lentils are a bit bland, then add a little salt. Be sure to check – if the grains are ready. They should be soft inside.
7. The bowl with the finished dish can be removed and served in portions on plates. Lentils in a multicooker turn out tasty, soft, with a rich garlic aroma.

How to cook red lentils in a microwave

This method of cooking cereals is a novelty for many housewives. The advantages of cooking lentils in the microwave outweigh the disadvantages. The dish cooks quickly and easily, eliminating the need for constant monitoring of the cooking process – there is no need to stir the lentils, as they will not burn to the bottom. Let's learn how to cook this protein product in the microwave.

Before sharing the recipe, we decided to share our thoughts on choosing microwave-safe dishes. A fireproof glass dish with a lid is suitable for cooking any cereals. A heat-resistant ceramic dish can also be used, but it is important that there are no metallic strips or shiny elements on its surface.

We take the following quantities of ingredients:

• red lentils – 0.5 cup;
• table salt – to taste;
• water – about 1 cup.

Preparation:

1. Rinse the lentils in several waters until clear. Usually, it is enough to change the water 2-3 times.
2. Place the lentils in a fireproof dish and cover with water. The amount of water should be such that it completely covers the lentils.
3. If you will serve the dish without sauce, add the necessary amount of salt.
4. Without covering with a lid, place the dish in the microwave. Turn the device to maximum power and cook the lentils for 7 minutes.
5. When the dish is ready, it needs to be transferred from the microwave to the table and allowed to sit covered for another 5 minutes.
6. Serve the boiled lentils on plates and present them as a side dish. You can season the dish with soy sauce and add pieces of fried meat. Enjoy your meal.

It's good to know. To ensure the dish is tender and juicy, when adding ingredients, pour water over the lentils to a depth of 1.5 cm. It is recommended to cook with a lid.

Having learned how to properly cook lentils, you can stop worrying about lunch. You will always be able to quickly boil a delicious and hearty side dish.