It is not by chance that lentils in the east are called bread for the poor.
The protein content of this amazing multi-colored cereal can actually rip off beef.
From the bean plant they prepare wonderful side dishes, soups, flat cakes, porridges.
Despite the close relationship with peas, lentils have a more refined flavor and a less capricious character.
Boil lentils easier and faster: it does not require long soaking, changing water.
With lentils, you can cook a lot of dishes, but this amazing legume culture itself is very tasty.
How to cook lentils - general principles of cooking
In the shops today you can find red and green, and yellow, and even black lentils. Even a beginner understands that he will have to deal with different varieties of the product, which require a different approach. Indeed, some varieties are used mainly for salads, others - for mashed potatoes or porridge, others are good as a side dish.
The answer to the question of how to cook lentils depends on the variety. Green beans are boiled out longer than others, but they retain their shape, so they are most often used in salads or germinated to improve the diet. From red which prepares very quickly, the magnificent air, fragrant mashed potatoes turn out. Brown lentils will also spend quite a bit of time in the pan before turning into a soft, soft porridge.
Most lentil varieties do not require soaking in water. An exception is made only for green beans: a two-hour water bath is good for them, softens the firm temper and facilitates cooking.
To cook a guaranteed delicious dish, lentils must first be bruised, remove damaged, spoiled, dirty grains. 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 for a cup of lentils, but for washing it is not essential: you can act on the eye.
Cook the grain with a quiet boil, so that the process goes evenly, without quick cooking of the upper shell. The process depending on the variety takes from 15 to 40 minutes. • Red (or orange) lentils are simply grains, peeled from the skin (shells made of plant fiber), so it cooks almost instantly, from 15 to 20 minutes.
• Brown lentils require a longer stew: it will be ready in about thirty minutes.
• Green fragrant 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 cup.
How to cook brown lentils
Brown lentils often become the basis of a second dish 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 spoonful of salt.
Preparation:
Pour the prepared lentils with water in a saucepan for cooking.
Bring water to a boil.
Slightly open the lid and cook at a slow boil for twenty to forty minutes.
In half an hour, try for readiness.
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 heat, use lentils for cooking another dish or as a separate dish.
How to cook red lentils in a slow cooker with seasonings
You won't spoil porridge with butter, it's true. But in the case of red lentils, you will not spoil it with spices, vegetables or pepper. Especially if the kitchen has a slow cooker. Such lentil porridge can be great to surprise the family.
Ingredients:
• one and a half cup lentils;
• three glasses of water;
• large onion;
• one carrot;
• three spoons adjika;
• spoon of vegetable oil;
• half spoonful of black pepper;
• two cloves of garlic;
• salt.
Preparation:
Prepare the grain for cooking.
Peel onions, cut into small cubes.
With carrots remove the skin and grate on a fine grater.
Finely chop the garlic with a knife.
The measured amount of water is heated.
On a frying mode, fry vegetables in a more often multicooker.
Pour the lentils washed in a sieve, pour in hot water.
Fill all with adzhika, pepper, salt. Cook in porridge mode or cooking rice on a timer.
After the signal, stir and serve porridge.
How to cook lentils in the microwave
If you use a microwave, then porridge can be quickly cooked and in it. How to cook lentils in this way? In principle, the same as with traditional methods of cooking. Ingredients are indicated on a generous portion.
Ingredients:
• half a cup of red lentils;
• one and a half glasses of water;
• some salt (pinch-another).
Preparation:
Prepare the grains by rinsing them thoroughly in a sieve with cold running water.
To boil water.
Put lentils in a special microwave container.
Pour boiling water over it.
Put the container in the microwave and set the maximum mode for ten minutes. Do not close the lid.
After turning off the stove, put porridge in a plate, add salt, season with spices, or use as a side dish with stewed vegetables.
How to cook black lentils with herbs
Black bean varieties are rarely on sale, but it is no less tasty and healthy product. How to cook black lentils? Just like regular green or red variety. Her kernels are small, dense and shiny, reminiscent of exotic beluga caviar, which is why this sort of lentils is called “Beluga”.
Ingredients:
• a glass of black lentils;
• two glasses of water;
• spoon of olive oil;
• any fresh greens;
• some salt.
Preparation:
Go through the grits, rinse in a sieve with warm or cool water.
Put the seeds in a saucepan and cover with cold water.
Cook over low heat.
After boiling pour oil.
Boil with a slow boil, stirring every three to four minutes.
When the grains are almost ready, salt to taste and add spices.
Chop the parsley, dill, cilantro.
When serving sprinkle boiled lentils with greens.
How to cook lentils in a double boiler
Steamer can also help in cooking lentils. Grains are guaranteed not to burn, and almost no need to follow the process. Water compared to traditional recipes need much less. Here's how to cook lentils with the help of a regular double boiler.
Ingredients:
• one and a half glasses of any lentils;
• glass of water; • spoon of butter;
• some salt.
Preparation:
Pour water into the boiler.
Pour the prepared lentils into the container for making special products.
Pour water in there, put oil, a little salt.
Turn on the device for an hour.
At the end of cooking, try grains for readiness. If necessary, turn on the steamer for another ten to fifteen minutes.
How to Cook Lentils - Tips and Tips
- Usually boiled lentils, pouring it with cold water and bringing to boil. This is the so-called cold method. It helps prevent cracking and slipping of the shell of the kernels, which spoils the aesthetic appearance of the dish.
- There is another, so-called hot method: lentils are thrown into boiling water. As a rule, this method is used when cooking soups and use green or brown grains.
- Lentils are salted at the very end of cooking, when it is almost ready. This is done in order not to interfere with the process of normal cooking of the grain sheath. If salt is added immediately, lentils will be cooked for a very long time.
- If, when boiling lentils, the water is completely absorbed, but the grain is not ready yet, 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 on. In addition, the skin of the grains may suffer.
- When cooking in lentil grains, it is not by chance that olive oil is added. Just one teaspoon is enough to give the dish a special tenderness and aroma.
- Cook lentils and with the addition of herbs, spices. Especially good this type of legumes with sage, rosemary, bay leaf, celery.
- It is very good to combine lentils with roasted or steamed vegetables, mushrooms, meat or fish. Excellent saturability, low calorie content make the grain a useful element of dietary nutrition.
