Lentils are the earliest source of food that is available to you throughout the year. Lentils come from a lentil plant called Lens Culinaris. These initiate from the regions of North Africa and Asia and are considered a member of the pea family. They came to America at the start of the 16th century. These were considered an inexpensive substitute for meat during World War 2. In the following article, we get to know about How to cook lentils? So please don’t skip the article from anywhere and read it carefully because it will be very useful for all of you guys.
Lentils come in many varieties. The red, green, and brown lentils are the most ordinary types. They contain all the important nutrients, including carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. Several minerals and vitamins like calcium, Folate, iron, and potassium are also present in them. That is the reason that by eating lentils you always feel full for a longer time. Protein is important for skin, bones, and muscles. On the other hand, the fiber in them protects against cancer and diabetes. It also lowers cholesterol. Iron assists in staying active by warding off exhaustion. Potassium lowers blood pressure.
After knowing about the many benefits of lentils, you must be thinking about preparing them. Well, good decision.
Cooking Lentils
Cooking lentils is not at all difficult. Here is the simplest guide to prepare them:
Preparation
If you want to cook lentils fast, it is a good idea to soak them in water before cooking. Wash the lentils in water. Remove shrunken lentils or debris and then drain.
Cooking
Take water three times more than the number of lentils. Boil lentils in it. Do not pour anything sour like vinegar into the water. Read the guidelines on the packet to know exactly about the cooking time as it varies according to age and variety of lentils. But here is rough information about the cooking times of different lentils.
- Yellow lentils take 40 to 45 minutes to boil.
- Red split lentils take about 20 minutes to cook.
- Brown and green lentils require approximately 30 to 45 minutes of cooking.
- Puy lentils need 25 to 30 minutes to cook.
Storing Lentils
Lentils are available during the whole year. They can be kept for months. To store lentils, keep them in an airtight jar in a dry and cool place. But always check whether the lentils are shriveled, rigid and dry before you purchase them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the answers to frequently asked questions to clear any confusion.
Are lentils a vegetable or a grain?
Lentils are actually grain legumes. They are called pulse because they are yielded for their seeds. They have lens-like shapes.
Are lentils good for weight loss?
Lentils prevent diabetes. They assist in maintaining and losing weight. If you replace them with high-calorie foods, you definitely lose weight.
What goes well with lentils?
You can eat lentils with a variety of meals. Enjoy this pulse with egg, boiled rice, brown rice, broccoli rabe, chard top, and roasted cauliflower. Well, you can eat lentils with whatever food you like depending on your taste and preference.
Are lentils good for breakfast?
Yes, if you want a protein boost up in the cock-crow you can add lentils to your breakfast meal.
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