Lentils are one of my favorite foods. They're inexpensive and nutritious and can be used in many ways. But sometimes, I feel like they take forever to cook or never quite get soft enough.
So I decided to research how much water you should use when cooking lentils and how long they take to become perfectly tender. It turns out to be using 1 cup of dry lentils with 3 cups of liquid water, stock, etc.; whatever you would like to add would bring the best taste out of it. So dig in to learn more about it.
What are lentils?
Lentils are edible legumes. A lens-shaped seed characterizes this annual plant. There are usually two seeds in each pod of this 40 cm tall plant. Canadians and Indians produce 58% of the world's food crop combined, producing 58% of the world's food.
Lentils are small, round legume that is high in protein. They are versatile and can be used in many vegan recipes. Lentils are common in South Asian, West Asian, and Mediterranean cuisine. Lentils are packed with nutrients and are believed to originate from the Middle East. Lentils can be used in many dishes, including a Slow Cooker Mediterranean Lentil Stew.
Lentils are high in protein and fiber, low in fat, and gluten-free. Lentils are a staple ingredient in many cuisines and can be used to make vegetarian and vegan dishes. They come in many different colors, shapes, sizes, and flavors.
Types of Lentils and How to Use Them:
There are wide varieties of lentils; some think they're interchangeable. But they aren't. Each variety has its unique flavor and cooking characteristics. And while it's true that all lentils work equally well in soups, stews, salads, and casseroles, each one does things better than others.
Here are the varieties you'll most likely find in supermarkets, along with suggestions for what to do with them:
Le Puy or French green lentils - This small, slender lentil has a mild, earthy flavor. They tend to break down easily during cooking, making them perfect for sauces and soups.
These guys hold their shape and keep their color as they cook. They're ideal for salads and pasta dishes.
These guys have a firm texture and a strong, slightly bitter taste. They're great for Indian food, pairing well with curry spices and tomatoes.
I like to use them in my curried lentil soup. - These tiny lentils have a soft texture and a delicate flavor. Try them in salads and tagines.
They're ideal for vegetarian dishes because they don't require soaking.
Beluga Lentils- There is a lot of similarity between these black and French green lentils. The recipes for lentils could be interchanged between them. About 20 minutes are needed to cook them, and they have a nice bite. They are my go-to side dish or salad ingredient whenever I need a hearty dish.
Brown lentils - Brown lentils are larger than regular green lentils. They have a nutty flavor and a firmer texture. They're good for salads, soups, and stews.
They're also known as beluga lentils, which means "white" in Russian.
Red lentils - Red lentils are smaller than brown lentils but still larger than green ones. They have a sweet, earthy flavor and a softer texture. They're great for salads and soups.
Try them in your next chickpea stew.
Yellow lentils - Yellow lentils are similar to red lentils, except they're a little bit bigger. They have a mild, earthy taste and a creamy texture. They're great in salads and soups. I love using these in my Vegetable Tagine.
Black lentils - Black lentils are very small and dark in color. They have an intense, smoky flavor and a firm texture. They're best when cooked until tender and then pureed into a sauce.
You can use black lentils instead of kidney beans in any recipe calling for those.
How much water and time its take for perfect lentils?
To remove dust or debris from lentils, rinse them with fresh water before boiling them. You will need 3 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc.) per cup of lentils to cook on the stovetop. The lentils will double or triple in size during cooking, so you must use a large enough saucepan.
When the water boils, close the lid, turn down the heat, and simmer until the vegetables are tender. It usually takes 15-20 minutes to cook whole lentils. About 5-7 minutes is usually enough time to cook split red lentils.
Here is how to cook:
Things you need:
- One cup of dried lentils (any kind)
- ½ teaspoon salt, to taste
One bay leaf, one large clove of garlic (peeled but left whole), or 1 to 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil are optional flavor enhancers.
1. Boil water in a pot.
It is best to let the lentils come to a boil by pouring plenty of water into the pot, but leave some extra space at the top so that the lentils can be added and the water can come to a boil while the lentils are cooking in the pot.
2. In the meantime, sort your lentils.
Is that really necessary? Your answer is yes, yes, yes. A small rock bit into my mouth once when I skipped this step. My tooth was saved from chipping from the jarring impact.
The lentils should be poured very slowly into a How to sift through lentils:
3. Add the lentils to the boiling water once it has reached a boil.
It is essential to keep the heat at a lively simmer by adjusting it as necessary. The pot does not need to be covered because I like to keep an eye on them despite them being simmering.
4. Boost the flavor if you like.
Bay leaves and garlic cloves, whole but peeled, can also be added. It's a common misconception that adding salt to beans and lentils when they're cooking will prevent them from cooking through. This is simply untrue. The salt brings out their best qualities.
5. Cook until you reach your desired consistency.
Depending on their variety and age, lentils must be cooked for different amounts of time. For each variety, I have listed some starting points. Immediately after the timer goes off, press the buttons to see if they're done-if.
If they're not done right away, wait another minute before trying, and if you're still not satisfied, wait a few minutes longer. It is important to remember that lentils cook quickly.
6. Excess water should be strained off.
To remove the excess water from our lentil mixture, you will need to strain it through a fine-mesh strainer. When you are finished removing the bay leaf, return the lentils to the pot. Adding garlic requires smashing it against the side of the pan and stirring it in. Additional salt may be added if necessary. Finally, you're ready to eat your lentils.
Here are some cooking lentils tips to help you out:
Lentils are great because they take little effort to prepare and make a healthy side dish. But cooking them properly takes some practice. Here are a few tips to help you master the art of lentil cooking:
- Always rinse your lentils thoroughly. This removes excess starch and makes the finished product lighter.
- Bring water to a boil, and add salt and lentils. Reduce heat to medium-low and let simmer gently for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- After about 20 minutes, taste one of the lentils. If they're still hard, continue to cook for another 5 to 10 minutes.
- Drain off extra liquid and serve immediately.
- Lentils are deliciously served with rice or pasta.
- Leftover cooked lentils freeze well. Simply place them in a freezer bag and store them in the freezer. To reheat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm over low heat.
- Lentils can be stored in the pantry for up to 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many types of lentils are available?
A: There are four kinds of lentils.
2. How do I double or triple a lentil recipe?
A: The amount of water you need per cup of lentils is 2 cups.
3. Is it okay to salt lentils before cooking them?
A: Since the reducing liquid can become too salty, salting the lentils before cooking is not recommended.
4. Is it okay to use green lentils or red lentils?
A: I recommend using red lentils when a recipe calls for them because you'll have to adjust the cooking times and may end up with too mushy or rock-hard lentils.
5. Can you tell me which color lentil is the healthiest?
A: Black Lentils is the healthiest.
Conclusion
So, there you have it. We've covered all the basics of cooking lentils, from how much water to use to how long they take to cook. With this knowledge, you can easily make any lentil dish you want. So why wait? Run to the kitchen and cook the delicious lentils right now.
