How to cook green lentils

As part of the spread of various food products in culinary and dietetics that have lost their popularity, green lentil beans have also been included in the list of many useful ones. Surely, you would like to know in detail how to cook green lentils? This is what we will talk about today.

Previously, it was treated differently, but now a number of its beneficial qualities have already been identified, which have a positive effect on the body of both an adult and an unborn person. Therefore, you need to introduce lentils into your diet, it is both useful and necessary.

What are green lentils?

For a long time, this food product was unavailable in Slavic countries. Today, many, not knowing the capabilities of the especially large lentil variety - green, avoid lentils, being afraid to cook something from them. This primary attitude can, on the one hand, be called correct. After all, it was customary to give lentils to gladiators and only the poor population included them in their diet.

But they learned to grow green beans only in European France (that’s why they get their name – French). The first lentil grains arrived here from the Mediterranean. Growing lentils is quite painstaking work. Despite the fact that August is considered the main harvest period, when determining the correct harvest time, the following are taken into account:

degree of hardness;
grain size (it reaches 5–7 mm in diameter).

In appearance, green lentils, like its other varieties, resemble flattened flat beans, very similar to optical lenses.

Today there are more than 120 types of legumes called lentils. True, all this diversity is limited to a few categories known in cooking.

These include lentils:

black (it is additionally called “beluga”; it is considered the most valuable and expensive; the fact is that the pigment that gives the black color has a high antioxidant level, which makes it possible to slow down the aging process and prevent the occurrence of oncology and cardiovascular diseases);
red (most often it is known as “Egyptian”; characterized by a high content of iron and potassium; indicated for use for anemia, anemia, decreased memory and concentration);
green (called “French” and refers to the healing lentil species; all the healing power lies in the presence of plant fiber, which helps with digestive disorders and intestinal disorders; in addition, it actively fights depressive conditions, promoting the synthesis of serotonin);
yellow (these are polished green lentils that do not have a shell);
brown (most in demand in cooking, and its uniqueness lies in the presence of all the beneficial qualities that other lentil varieties have).

Compound

Both true green and peeled yellow lentils are defined by the following composition:

cellulose;
fats;
protein fractions (vegetable);
carbohydrates;
phytoestrogens;
unsaturated fatty acids;
the important amino acid tryptophan;
B vitamins (riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine, niacin, folic acid);
retinol, or vitamin A (small amount);
macro- and microelements such as iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, boron, fluorine and nickel.

Green lentils - the calorie content of the dry product is at least 300 kilocalories, but when boiled it has only 100–120 kilocalories. The level of the glycemic index, which is only 29 units, is also important here. The percentage of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is 16/17/67%.

Green lentils: benefits and harms of the product

Green lentils (of course, within acceptable limits) can be boiled and eaten regularly, this will help:

feel full for a long time;
lose extra pounds (the product is completely absorbed and is not deposited in problem areas);
include in various diets for weight loss;
strengthen intestinal peristalsis;
remove toxins and radionuclides;
strengthen the muscular system;
normalize blood glucose levels;
reduce low-density lipoprotein levels;
improve mood;
prevent nervous disorders;
alleviate the manifestations of urolithiasis;
cure colitis and stomach ulcers;
improve liver function;
cope with pyelonephritis;
provide assistance in the treatment of tuberculosis and lungs;
have a beneficial effect on the healing of muscle and bone injuries;
cope with atherosclerosis and lower blood pressure;
increase immunity;
promote proper intrauterine development of the fetus in pregnant women;
It is easier for women to endure menopause (thanks to phytoestrogens).

Contraindications and possible harm

Lentils, like any legume products, should not be overeaten; beans can cause discomfort. In particular, it negatively affects people suffering from bloating and increased gas formation in the intestines. Therefore, experts recommend exclusively a vegetable combination for them, without the use of main heavy protein dishes (for example, meat).

Rules for selection and storage

To get a truly tasty dish, it is very important to choose the right quality lentils.

Therefore, when choosing lentils, you should pay attention to the following:

container (it must be transparent and hermetically sealed);
size (it should not be “varied”, in a hole or chipped, and high-quality grains always have the same color);
country of the packer and manufacturer (the country and region of packaging must be comparable; the best choice would be Canada, India, Turkey, Australia, USA).

How to cook delicious green lentils

Green lentils are classified as unripe lentils. That is why you need to know how long it takes to cook green lentils. You need to cook it a little longer – 25–30 minutes.

Before cooking green lentils, you need to:

Rinse the grains (calculation: one part lentils to two parts water) under cold running water;
cook only in filtered boiling water.

Cook the lentils on the lowest possible heat until tender. If you want to add salt to the product, you should calculate the cooking time by adding a pinch of salt a couple of minutes before cooking.

Culinary experts note that dishes made from boiled green lentils are ideal for salads (because they practically do not boil, maintaining the necessary shape), and go well with garlic, onions, spices and any herbs. Additionally, green lentils can be ground using a coffee grinder into flour, from which bread and flatbreads are made.

What dishes are prepared from lentils?

There are a large number of options for preparing lentil dishes. These beans can be used separately in the form of hearty porridges or in complex culinary creations. To diversify your breakfasts or surprise your family for dinner, prepare dishes based on lentils. You can make cutlets, a side dish for meat, and there are also recipes that tell in detail how to combine lentils with other types of cereals and vegetables.

Recommendation: To enhance the flavor of a cooked lentil dish, add a couple of bay leaves or a pinch of dried sage. You can also use celery root or leaves, parsley or rosemary. It is recommended to salt and pepper lentil dishes at the very end of cooking.

How to make puree soup

Puree soup is a soup with a thick consistency that needs to be prepared with a large amount of vegetables or cereals. To get the most healthy, tasty and satisfying dish, we recommend preparing lentil puree soup. Correct preparation depends on the accuracy of observing all proportions of the required ingredients. For this soup you will need:

red lentil beans – 200 g;
chicken broth - 2 cups;
finely chopped red onion (medium) – 1 pc.;
spoon of tomato paste;
grated carrots – 1 pc.;
a pinch of cumin and pepper;
salt – 0.5 tsp;
clove of garlic;
a slice of lemon and mint leaves;
immersion blender;
pot.

The puree soup is prepared using the following technology:

In a large saucepan, combine lentils, broth, onion, carrots, garlic, tomato paste, cumin, pepper and bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables and beans are completely cooked through. This will take approximately 25 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and quickly puree the soup ingredients with an immersion blender. You should end up with a puree-like mass. When blending, be careful not to splatter the hot soup; use low speed.
Then you need to add salt and squeeze a slice of lemon. If desired, you can decorate the top with mint leaves.

Lentils with chicken

For a family dinner for two you will need:

300 grams of chicken breast;
a glass of brown lentils;
three glasses of water;
a tablespoon of tomato paste;
salt, pepper, cumin, curry;
big onion.

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How to cook lentils deliciously

Modern housewives undeservedly deprive their attention of recipes for lentil dishes. They help prepare a complete lunch or dinner simply and deliciously. It is important that it also turns out to be very useful. You can make not only soup from lentils, but also the most delicate porridge, side dish, salad, casserole and other interesting options.

The easiest way to prepare a side dish of lentils is to use a multicooker of any model. For this recipe you will need to take: 180 g of green lentils, 2 times more clean water, a couple of cloves of garlic, half an onion and a carrot, butter, 1 bell pepper, salt.

The container of the device is greased with oil and the chopped garlic is cooked in the “Baking” mode until browned. Next, finely chopped peppers, carrots and onions are added to the bowl.
When the vegetables become soft enough, you can change the mode to “Buckwheat”, add washed lentils, cold water and cook the dish until the appropriate signal.

Serve a ready-made side dish of lentils with any meat gravy, fish or chicken.

Green lentils: cooking recipes

Green lentils are a household name and are known as a hearty legume with a spicy flavor. Of course, lentils are cooked almost all over the world - from Asia to Europe. But for some reason the French species is most valuable in China and Asia. It is worth giving examples of cooking at least a few popular dishes.

Green Lentil Soup: Recipe

This dish does not require much effort or expensive ingredients to prepare.

You will need for cooking:

150 g green lentils;
200 g beef;
two potatoes;
one carrot;
one medium-sized onion;
a tablespoon of tomato paste;
two tablespoons of any vegetable oil (olive is best);
salt, dry paprika and pepper are added to taste;
clean water (it can be replaced with chicken broth).

First, the beef is finely chopped and fried in a frying pan in vegetable oil with the addition of black pepper, salt, and dry paprika.
Then add chopped (preferably not large) onions and carrots to the pan. Also add a small amount of water and oil so that the meat and vegetables are thoroughly stewed over low heat for about 15 minutes.
Separately, cook lentils and potatoes in boiling water in a saucepan (cook for no more than 10 minutes).
After the cooking time has passed, stewed meat with vegetables and tomato paste are added to it (although you can do without it).
In addition, you need to add a little water to really get a soup, which should be cooked for 10-15 minutes.
In general terms, you won’t have to cook a hearty lunch or dinner for more than one hour.

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Green lentils: how to cook for lentil stew

For cooking you will need:

water (600 g), white onions (55 g), carrots and sweet red peppers (30 g each), sunflower oil and 200 g lentils.
Cook the lentils until tender and fry the vegetables at the same time. Then the vegetables and lentils are mixed. It turns out to be a kind of vegetable stew.
Vegetables are often replaced with rice cereal; they need to be cooked until tender; they go well with boiled lentils.

How to cook green lentils as a side dish

In fact, for this recipe you will have to cook the lentil beans. If desired, you can turn the boiled grains into puree by blending them in a blender. In principle, you can add a variety of spices to the lentils, and sprinkle the dish with herbs (chopped dill, parsley or green onions) on top.

Just 100 years ago in Russia, lentils were not only found everywhere on the tables of both rich and poor, but were also exported to many countries around the world. However, not everyone knew how to cook lentils to create a delicious dish.

The oldest agricultural crop of the legume family has been known since Neolithic times; it appeared in Rus' in the 14th century and was the basis for many dishes. Now they have forgotten about the queen of legumes, but in vain!

Cooking recipes

Bean cutlets with mushrooms

legumes - 1 cup;
letter - 1 piece;
sliced champignons - 200 g;
oil for frying;
wheat flour - 1-2 tablespoons;
chicken egg - 1 piece.

Boil the legumes into puree. Place the amount indicated in the recipe in 2-3 glasses of cold water, cook over medium heat until the lentils soften. Beat in the egg with flour, mince the mushrooms and onions, combine everything with the lentils, and beat with a blender if necessary. Form cutlets with wet hands and fry on both sides in oil until cooked.

Lentil soup with chicken

carrots - 1 pc.;
onion - 1 pc.;
lentils - 100 g;
chicken breast with skin and bones - 1 pc.;
potatoes (optional) - 1 pc.

Place the chicken breast in cold water and cook until tender. Remove the meat, discard the bones and skin, cut the flesh into cubes and reserve. Boil the broth, add lentils, boil until soft, add vegetables, cook for another 10-12 minutes, leave covered.

Vegan Bolognese

pasta - 400 g;
lentils - 200 g;
tomato - 2 pcs.;
basil - 1 bunch;
onion - 1 pc.;
olive oil - 25 g.

Boil the pasta in water al dente. For 400 g of pasta, take about 3 liters of water, cook, discard in a colander, rinse with water, add a drop of oil to prevent sticking. Boil the lentils separately until pureed according to the rules indicated above. Heat oil in a frying pan, add chopped vegetables, sauté until soft, add lentils, stir and cook until the puree is smooth. Then combine the dressing with the pasta. If desired, you can add garlic and other spices.

Stew with chicken and vegetables

green lentils - 1 cup;
chicken breast without bones and skin - 200 g;
carrots - 1 piece;
onion - 1 piece;
olive oil - 25 g;
pilaf seasoning mixture - 5 g

Set the multicooker to frying mode, pour oil into the bowl, fry chopped onions and carrots with seasonings. Add chicken, lentils, add 2.5 liters of water or broth (optional) and turn the multicooker to stewing or soup mode. The cooking process will take about an hour. Video recipe for this vegetarian chicken stew:

Dietary dishes made from green lentils can complement any table. Whether or not to soak the cereal and what to do with it after cooking is up to each person to decide for themselves. Do not be afraid of the fact that the gastrointestinal tract will take some time to adapt to legumes. You should prepare your first dishes from soaked lentils. Over time, digestion will adapt, and then you can move on to simpler cooking methods. Health organizations recommend including lentils in your diet no more than 2-3 times a week.

Benefits for the body

The nutritional value of lentils is enormous, containing more than sixty percent vegetable protein and a wide range of minerals and trace elements. It is not for nothing that among the monks in Rus' it was the main source of nutrition during Lent; many dishes can be prepared from it: soups, pastries, side dishes.

From a medical point of view, the queen of beans is simply a storehouse of health. It strengthens the immune system and improves metabolism. Regular consumption will not only improve the health of the body, but also cure many ailments.

Normalizes blood sugar levels, which means it is useful for patients with diabetes.
Rich in B vitamins, which act as an antioxidant and protect the body from the effects of toxins, alcohol and nicotine poisoning.
With gastritis and ulcers, pain subsides and heartburn disappears.
Prevention of oncology – prevents the formation of cancer cells.
Useful for nervous disorders, a kind of depressant.

So colorful!

There are several varieties of lentils.

Brown. The most common type, rich in iron, prevents anemia. It is mainly used to make soups. It has a nutty aroma and is good in combination with meat.
Red, or Egyptian. It is practically devoid of shell, so it boils instantly. It is recommended to make purees, pates, and soups from it.
Puy, or green. Rich in fiber, the variety was bred in the French city of Puy. It has a subtle aroma and smell of pepper. It is not subject to overcooking and is recommended for adding to salads.
Yellow. Sanded green lentils. Used for pureed dishes.
Black, or Beluga. It is small in size and looks like black caviar. Contains a large amount of ascorbic acid, which means it helps with colds. Often used for salads, useful when sprouted. After cooking, it retains its shape and, due to its unusual color, adds piquancy and originality to dishes.

How to cook lentils in a saucepan?

It is recommended to rinse the beans in several waters and remove empty and spoiled grains. No pre-soaking is required; the lentils cook quickly.

Place the prepared cereal in boiling water and cook over low heat, remembering to stir. Tomatoes should be salted or added at the end 5-10 minutes before readiness, since a salty or acidified environment doubles the cooking time.

How long will it take

Each variety has a different cooking time. Of course, you can constantly test for softness and taste, but it is better to remember or write down how long to cook the lentils until tender, depending on the color.

Lentil Curry - Indian Cuisine Recipe

Lentils as a side dish can also be prepared in a very unusual way, for example, according to a popular Indian recipe with numerous spices. For this dish, the original ingredient is used - coconut milk (180 ml), and, in addition to it: 170 g of red lentils, a pinch of curry, turmeric, pepper and cinnamon, half a red onion, 3 cloves of garlic, salt.

The lentils are thoroughly washed with cold running water.
Finely chopped onions, garlic and carrots, as well as all the spices, go into the pan.
Lentils are added to the vegetables, and the ingredients are poured with half of the coconut milk (if there is not enough liquid, it is diluted with plain water). Cook the ingredients together until the beans are soft over very low heat.
All that remains is to salt the treat, pour the remaining milk into it and cook for a couple more minutes.

The beneficial composition of lentils has made it one of the most popular dishes in many countries. Externally, this product is similar to flat round grains. Red lentils belong to the legume family, but unlike other varieties, they cook much faster.

The calorie content of 100 g of grains of this variety is 314 kcal. The product is rich in proteins, vitamins (groups A, B), iron, macro- and microelements. Red lentils, unlike other varieties of this legume family, should be cooked for 20-30 minutes. It is great for making side dishes. Since the grains boil quickly and do not have a shell, they make delicious puree, porridge and puree soup.

Cooking in a slow cooker

The multicooker has long been firmly established in our lives; it allows you to quickly prepare dishes in automatic mode. However, not every housewife knows how to cook lentils.

Use the “Stew” and “Porridge” modes. If a dish consists of several ingredients, then the legumes should be added last.

Lentils with mushrooms are prepared as follows.

Turn on the “Frying” mode, pour sunflower oil into a container, add a finely chopped onion and a couple of cloves of garlic, bring to a transparent state.
Fry a dozen randomly chopped champignons or other mushrooms with onions for several minutes. Salt, seasonings and spices to taste.
Add one glass of prepared lentils to the mushrooms and pour two glasses of boiling water.
We switch the multicooker to the “Stew” mode and set the time to 50 minutes.
After the readiness signal, it is advisable to leave it on automatic heating for another 20 minutes.

In this way you can cook lentils with meat, chicken, and vegetables. Be sure to use spices, they reveal the taste and aroma brighter.

Lentil fritters

Even children love lentils in this form, which should encourage mothers to prepare this hearty and healthy dish more often.

Ingredients:

lentils - 200 g;
corn starch - 2 tbsp. l;
eggs - 2 pcs.;
onion - 2 heads;
pepper;
salt;
olive oil - 1 tbsp. l.

Preparation:

We thoroughly wash the red lentils and fill them with two glasses of water, according to the cooking recipe, and put them on the fire.

To cook lentils deliciously, cook them for 20 minutes until they are well cooked, like a puree.
Beat the boiled lentils with a fork until smooth. If desired, you can use a blender.

While the lentils are boiling, prepare the onion, for which we peel it and cut it into arbitrary pieces.
Grind the prepared onion in a blender and add to the prepared lentil gruel.
Add salt, pepper, eggs, olive oil and starch to the lentil pancake dough, mix everything thoroughly.

From the resulting dough, bake small pancakes in a frying pan, 1 minute on each side.
Serve lentil pancakes with sour cream or sweet sauce.

Cooking in a steamer

When cooking in a double boiler, beneficial vitamins and minerals are preserved, dishes are guaranteed not to burn, and the porridge turns out crumbly. The peculiarity of cooking is that it requires less water than with the usual method of cooking in a saucepan.

Place one and a half glasses of any lentils in a container, pour in a glass of water, add butter, spices and salt to taste. Set the time to 1 hour. After cooking, taste it; to achieve the required softness, you can add a few more minutes.

Preparatory stage

Regardless of what you plan to cook from grains (soup or side dish), you should prepare the product before starting heat treatment. Lentils should be thoroughly washed in cold water and any debris that has floated to the surface should be removed. You do not need to pre-soak the grains in water, as is the case with beans or peas.

You can cook the product in salted water or add salt 5 minutes before cooking. If you salt the grains at the beginning, the heat treatment period will increase. Chefs recommend throwing beans into boiling water, this will reduce the likelihood of overcooking the product. After the water in the pan boils, you should reduce the heat, cover the container with a lid and cook the dish until cooked.

What is made from the queen of beans?

How to cook lentils so that they are healthy and tasty? There are many recipes, add your imagination, don’t be afraid to experiment, and you can please your loved ones with unusual dishes.

It is equally good as an independent dish or as a side dish for meat or fish.

Pour well-washed yellow or red grains into boiling water in a ratio of one to two.
Cook until done. In 5-7 minutes, do not forget to add salt and spices and seasonings.
Drain off excess water and leave to simmer under the lid.
Fry onions and carrots in vegetable oil until golden brown.
Mix the frying with lentils, add butter to taste.

It is recommended to take the red or yellow variety - they boil well.

Throw the lentils into boiling water in a ratio of 1:2. Cook for about 15 minutes with the addition of a spoon of vegetable oil, so the beans will be softer and more tender. Finally add salt and spices. To make the puree smooth, beat with a blender or pass through a sieve.

Serve the puree with fresh vegetables and herbs. A mint leaf in a plate will add a special taste.

How to cook brown lentils? What to cook? Try lentil soup - a hearty dish rich in proteins and microelements. In the cold season, it saturates, warms, adds piquancy and a touch of exoticism.

This is the recipe for the classic soup.

Boil one glass of lentils in two glasses of water for 20 minutes.
Finely chop the carrots and onions and fry in vegetable oil.
Combine vegetables with lentils, add a pinch of turmeric, cumin, red and black pepper. Add some salt.
Simmer over low heat until the lentils are soft.
Use a blender to ensure smoothness and tenderness.
Add six cups of strong meat or vegetable broth.
Season with butter, sprinkle with chopped herbs and ground paprika.

Red lentil cutlets in the oven

With such a tasty and nutritious dish it is quite possible to welcome guests, and for everyday meals it is a real find.

Ingredients:

red lentils - 300 g;
walnuts - 100 g;
garlic - 5 cloves;
sour cream - 150 g;
onion - 1 head;
dried bread - 150 g;
eggs - 2 pcs.;
salt;
pepper.

Recipe:

Wash the red lentils and add water, bring the water to a boil.

Place the onion and bay leaf in boiling water with lentils, reduce heat and cook for 15 minutes.
Drain everything into a colander and let the water drain completely. Remove and remove the onion and bay leaf.
Grind the boiled lentils using an immersion blender.

Lightly dry the bread in a frying pan or in the oven. Break the crackers into pieces and place in a blender bowl. Grind the dried bread into crumbs.
We also grind nuts using a blender. Add both prepared ingredients to the lentils.

Add salt, pepper, eggs and sour cream to the products collected in one container. Mix everything thoroughly until a homogeneous mass is obtained.
Place the prepared mixture into silicone molds pre-greased with vegetable oil.

Bake in the oven at 200 *C for 10-15 minutes.
We serve delicious dietary red lentil cutlets with a golden brown crust, prepared according to this recipe, to the table.

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Exotic green and black lentils

Black lentils are also called Beluga. The grains are shiny, rich in color, very similar to black caviar, hence the nickname. This is a rather expensive product, as it is characterized by labor-intensive harvesting.

Sprouted black lentils are very useful; they are added to salads. When boiled, it has a solid shape and a pleasant, subtle taste. Beluga looks exotic on sandwiches. In Europe, delicious soups and delicious sauces are prepared from it, and in Asian countries it is mixed with rice or added to vegetable stews.

Green lentils were bred in France, in the small town of Puy, so they are sometimes called French or after the name of the city. It has a subtle, spicy flavor and unusual flavor tones. Many gourmets consider this variety to be the most delicious of all. It retains its shape perfectly when cooked and is recommended for preparing gourmet dishes. It is best added to salads.

Tips from the chef

Lentil grains should be uniform in shape and color. If there are small holes on its surface, it means that insects like it and are no longer suitable for food.
Do not mix beans purchased at different times, even if they are the same variety. Older lentils will take longer to cook.
For vegetable soup, add the lentils first and cook until half cooked, then add the rest of the ingredients.
If you are preparing lentil soup based on meat broth, cook the meat first and then add the beans.
To make the porridge crumbly, cook it, drain off excess water and leave to swell under the lid.
Bay leaves, sage, rosemary, and cloves go well with lentils, and onions, carrots, tomatoes, and garlic go well with vegetables.
It is better to add spices earlier, the taste will be more pronounced.
Cooked lentils can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
To avoid flatulence, add cloves.

How to cook a side dish in a slow cooker?

The porridge will be no less tasty if you cook it in a slow cooker. If you decide to choose this cooking method, you must first find out what ingredients are needed and how long they need to be prepared.

Main components for the dish:

1.5 cups of grains;
1 onion;
1 carrot;
2 cloves of garlic;
4 tbsp. spoons of adjika;
salt and pepper.

Before preparing the side dish, you should process the vegetables: grate the carrots, cut the onion into cubes, finely chop the garlic. Carrots and onions should be cooked using the “Baking” function for 10 minutes. Then you need to add the previously prepared garlic and leave this mixture for another 10 minutes. It is recommended to add the washed grains to vegetables and pour 2.5 cups of boiling water over them. You need to cook the mixture for another 40-50 minutes. on the “Porridge” or “Pilaf” functions, having previously seasoned the consistency with adjika (tomato juice can be used), as well as salt and pepper.

Let's sum it up

Now you know how healthy and nutritious lentils are. Don’t neglect it, and your diet will be replenished with delicious dishes.

Lentils are a dietary product, low in calories and indispensable for a slim figure. You can use it to make not only soups and cereals, but also bread, salads, pastries, cutlets and even candies.

This amazing plant is not able to accumulate toxins and does not lose its healing properties even after heat treatment. It’s not for nothing that lentils are called the queen of beans.

In our country, these bright, appetizing grains began to gain popularity only in the last 10 years, when more and more people began to strive for a healthy and nutritious diet and expand their diet. There are several types on the market, differing in the method and time of cooking. After reading the article, you will find out how many varieties of lentils there are, how to cook green, red and black lentils, and also how long it takes to germinate the grains.

How are the different types different?

Lentils are a legume plant. Like the fruits of other representatives of this family, lentils also contain a lot of protein, beneficial microelements and amino acids. Do you know how many varieties of this nutritious and healthy product there are? They differ in color, processing and cooking time:

Green lentils are unripe grains that can be sprouted and eaten raw. They are considered the most useful, but also take longer to prepare than others. During the cooking process they do not become overcooked, maintaining their shape and color. Used for preparing salads and side dishes. This is a nutritious product; it can be not only a side dish, but also an independent dish for lunch or dinner.

Red, yellow and orange grains differ in the degree of purification from the shell. They boil quickly and well. They make delicious puree soups and casseroles. Brown lentils are fully ripened grains. They are not suitable for a raw food diet, just like other grains without a shell. They are often used to prepare porridges as a side dish for seaweed dishes.

Black grains are considered a gourmet product due to their resemblance to black caviar. They are smaller than others. Used in salads, side dishes, snacks. They cook quickly. 20 minutes is enough.

Lentils with carrots and herbs

This tasty and aromatic dish of very simple preparation can be consumed both on its own and as a side dish for any meat and poultry dish.

Ingredients:

red lentils - 200 g;
carrots - 2 pcs.;
sour cream - 150 g;
garlic - 2 cloves;
parsley;
salt pepper.

Preparation:

We wash the red lentils and place them in a deep frying pan or saucepan. Pour 1/2 tbsp. water, according to the cooking recipe, close the lid.

As soon as the water in the container boils, reduce the heat and simmer under the lid for 20 minutes.
During this time, prepare the carrots, wash, peel and grate them on a coarse grater.
Place a layer of carrots on the lentils, close the lid again and simmer until the carrots are ready.

As soon as the carrots become soft, add salt, a mixture of peppers, chopped parsley and sour cream to the prepared products, mix everything.

To cook red lentils deliciously, like a real chef, simmer for another five minutes under the lid and turn off the heat.
Let the dish prepared according to this recipe brew under the lid for 15 minutes, then serve.

Cooking secrets

Green lentils do not need to be cooked. To make it suitable for eating raw, it must be properly prepared. To do this, rinse several times in cold water, soak and leave overnight. It is not easy to predict how long it will take for the first shoots to appear. It depends on the quality of the beans. It usually takes at least 20 hours for them to begin to germinate. Sprouted “live” grains are the most beneficial for the body.

If you decide to cook green lentils, then you should know how to do it correctly:

Unlike other legumes, lentil grains do not need to be soaked in advance. However, it will be absorbed properly and will not cause bloating if it is pre-soaked in cold water for 3-8 hours.
Dip it into cold water after the water boils, cook over low heat for at least 40 minutes.
The proportions for cooking are 1:2, i.e. per 1 tbsp. lentils, 2 tbsp. water. If you did not soak it beforehand, increase the amount of water at the rate of 1:4. Determine how long dry grains will cook based on taste. Check for doneness after 40 minutes. If they are still quite hard, cook for another 30 minutes.
It is recommended to add salt at the end of cooking. Be guided by the readiness of the grains.
To soften hard grains, you can add 1 tbsp to the water. l. olive oil.
If you cook lentils in a slow cooker, select the “Rice”, “Buckwheat”, “Pilaf” or “Porridge” mode.

Cooking on the stove

No matter what recipe you use to cook lentil beans, there are two ways to cook them on the stovetop.

Cold method: for 1 volume of lentils of any color, take 2 volumes of unboiled water and coarse salt - at the rate of 1 tsp. for three glasses of these products. Sort the lentils, rinse, pour into a bowl, add water and bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and, covering the pan, bring to readiness. Cook for as many minutes as it takes to cook the variety. Add salt shortly before the end of cooking. If you cook it as a salad or as a side dish, drain the water at the end of cooking; for porridge and purees, leave the liquid.

Hot method: for 1 volume of any beans - 2 volumes of unboiled water, coarse salt - at the rate of 1 tsp. for three glasses of food. Sort the lentils and rinse. Boil water, add the prepared beans, cook until tender in a closed pan, and when finished cooking, add salt. How to cook lentil soup - the following dish ideas will tell you.

Orange Lentil Soup

Cream soup made from the orange variety is popular in Eastern countries. Will need:

0.5 cups orange beans;
2.5 liters of water;
Potatoes – 3 pcs.;
1 carrot;
1 onion;
Low fat cream;
Salt, black pepper;
Parsley sprigs.

Boil salted and peppered water. Wash and peel the potatoes and carrots, chop into cubes and finely chop the onion. Sort the beans, rinse, place them with the vegetables in boiling water, cook over low heat for 20-25 minutes. At the end of cooking, beat until creamy. Serve with cream and parsley leaves. This soup will turn into a dietary dish if you replace the potatoes with celery stalks.

Red Lentil Soup

Thick Red Lentil Soup This flavor-packed soup is made with lots of beans and vegetables in a little water. Required components:

200 g red beans;
2 cups meat broth;
Red onion;
1 carrot;
Spoon of tomato;
Black pepper and ground cumin seeds - a pinch, salt to taste;
A couple of cloves of garlic;
Mint, lemon juice.

Sort the lentils, rinse, grate the carrots and garlic, chop the onion as finely as possible. Place the main ingredients into the broth, add tomato sauce, and add spices. Let it boil, then cook over low heat for 30 minutes until all ingredients are well cooked. Turn off the heat and use an immersion blender on low speed to avoid spattering the soup and puree the ingredients. Season the finished soup with salt, when serving, squeeze lemon juice into a plate and garnish with mint leaves.

Lentil porridges are incredibly satisfying. Due to their nutritional value, they were present on the menu of Egyptian workers - pyramid builders. The product is in harmony with white meat and mushrooms.

Brown lentil porridge

Brown bean porridge with chicken and mushrooms, for eating you need:

A glass of brown beans;
Water – 2.5 glasses;
500 g chicken;
250 g champignons;
A couple of onions;
A little vegetable oil for frying;
Paprika powder, a pinch of black pepper, salt.

Sort the lentils, rinse, place in a cooking vessel, add water, cook for about half an hour. Lightly fry the mushrooms and chopped onions. Cut the chicken into small cubes, fry in hot oil until light brown, place with mushrooms and onions, add spices, a couple of tablespoons of water and simmer for three minutes. Puree the beans or leave them whole, add to the mushrooms and chicken and place in the oven for 10 minutes.

Black lentil porridge

Black bean porridge with chicken is a delicious dish made from black beans and chicken fillet. We take:

Black variety - glass;
Chicken fillet – 350 g;
600 ml water;
A pair of bulbs;
Tomato sauce – 25 g;
Pepper, ground cumin seeds, curry, salt;
For frying - a little oil.

The fillets are cut coarsely, fried for ten minutes with onions, and tomato sauce is added to them at the last minute. The beans are cooked for a quarter of an hour. Afterwards, they are combined with chicken, sprinkled with curry and baked in the oven for about seven minutes.

Stew with yellow lentils

An appetizing stew with yellow lentils looks elegant - you will need:

A glass of yellow beans;
600 ml water;
Meat, poultry or vegetable broth – 200 ml;
2 potato tubers;
1 carrot;
A pair of garlic cloves;
Curry;
For frying - a little oil.

Boil yellow lentil beans. Heat crushed garlic, grated ginger and curry in hot oil. Chop the vegetables into cubes, place in a frying pan, and simmer for five minutes. Place the beans there, add the broth, and simmer for about five more minutes. Serve garnished with a wedge of lime. The green (plate) variety is suitable for many dishes. Beans of this variety make beautiful and tasty meatballs. They will need:

Half a glass of plated lentils;
1 carrot;
Red onion;
- 2 pcs.;
A few cloves of garlic - to taste;
A pinch of ground cumin and coriander;
Coarse salt;
Vegetable oil for frying;
Fresh parsley.

Boil the beans for 45 minutes, remove from the water, let cool and puree. Finely chop the onion, grate the carrots and garlic, stir them into the puree with cumin and coriander. Beat the eggs into the mixture, add salt and mix, making the mixture homogeneous. Form the minced meat into flat round balls and fry in a hot frying pan for three to four minutes on each side until light brown. Serve lentil balls, garnished with parsley sprigs, with sour cream.

Red lentils belong to the legume family. It makes simple and delicious dishes. Due to the absence of fat and high protein content, red lentils can be included in the diet of even a person who is losing weight. But how to cook red lentils? You will find out the answer to this question by reading this article.

Ingredients

Red lentils 1 cup. Carrots 1 piece(s) Onion 1 piece(s) Salt 1 tsp. Vegetable oil 1 tbsp. Ground black pepper 2 pinches

Number of servings: 4
Cooking time: 30 minutes