What can be cooked with lentils. Lentil Chowder with Chicken

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

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

The nutritional value of lentils is enormous, it contains more than sixty percent of vegetable protein and a wide range of minerals and trace elements. It was not for nothing that among the monks in Rus' it was the main source of nutrition during fasting; 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 use will not only improve the body, but also cure many ailments.

1. It normalizes blood sugar levels, which means it is useful for diabetics.
2. It is rich in B vitamins, which act as an antioxidant and protect the body from the effects of toxins, alcohol and nicotine poisoning.
3. With gastritis and ulcers, pain subsides, heartburn disappears.
4. Prevention of oncology - prevents the formation of cancer cells.
5. Useful for nervous disorders, a kind of depressant.

The list is endless. Moreover, lentils also have cosmetic properties, are indispensable for diets, and are also very useful for women's health during pregnancy, when solving gynecological problems.

So colorful!

Several varieties of lentils are known.

1. Brown. The most common type, rich in iron, prevents anemia. Soups are mainly prepared from it. Has a nutty flavor, good in combination with meat.
2. Red, or Egyptian. Practically devoid of a shell, so it instantly boils soft. It is recommended to cook mashed potatoes, pastes, soups from it.
3. Puy, or green. Rich in fiber, the variety was bred in the French city of Puy. It has a delicate aroma and smell of pepper. It is not subject to boiling and is recommended for adding to salads.
4. Yellow. Polished green lentils. It is used for puree-like dishes.
5. Black, or Beluga. It has a small size, looks like black caviar. It contains a large amount of ascorbic acid, which means it helps with colds. Often used for salads, useful in sprouted form. After cooking, it retains its shape, due to the unusual color it gives piquancy and originality to dishes.

Place the prepared cereal in boiling water and cook over low heat, not forgetting to stir. Salt or add tomatoes should be at the end 5-10 minutes before readiness, as a salty or acidified environment doubles the cooking time.

During the cooking process, it is advisable to add spices and a little oil, olive oil is best. This will make the beans more tender and softer, as well as more fragrant.

How long will it take

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

Red and yellow are cooked very quickly, an average of 15 minutes. Brown and black will be ready in 25 minutes. And cooking green takes from 45 minutes to an hour.

You can cook not only on the stove, so it is important to know how much lentils are cooked depending on the cooking method:

• multicooker - 50 min.;
• microwave oven - 7-12 minutes;
• steamer - 1 hour.

How much water do you need

For side dishes for one part of the cereal, you need to take two parts of water. Try to maintain a strict 1:2 ratio to avoid undercooked or overcooked lentils.

If you use a microwave oven or a double boiler, then it is enough that the water is 1-2 cm above the level of the grain.

It has long and firmly entered our lives, it allows you to quickly prepare dishes in automatic mode. However, not every housewife knows how to cook lentils.

Use the "Extinguishing", "Porridge" modes. If the dish consists of several ingredients, then the legumes should be laid last.

Lentils with mushrooms are prepared as follows.

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

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

Features of cooking in the microwave

Many housewives do not know that in a microwave oven you can not only defrost food or heat food, but also cook.

Pour red or yellow lentils into a special dish, salt, add spices and pour hot water so that it covers the beans by 1.5-2 cm. Place in the microwave, no need to close the lid. Set the maximum mode and cook for 7-10 minutes. Lentils are crumbly, the grains are whole and elastic.

Cooking in a steamer

When cooking in a double boiler, useful vitamins and minerals are preserved, dishes are guaranteed not to burn, and cereals are crumbly. The peculiarity of cooking is less water than with the usual method of cooking in a saucepan.

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

How to cook lentils so that it is healthy and tasty? There are many recipes, add imagination, do not be afraid to experiment, and you can please your loved ones with unusual dishes.

Porridge

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

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

Before serving, sprinkle the porridge with finely chopped herbs.

Puree

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

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

Soup

How to cook brown lentils? What to cook? Try Lentil Soup, a hearty dish rich in protein and micronutrients. In the cold season, it saturates, warms, gives piquancy and a touch of exotic.

This is the classic soup recipe.

1. Boil one cup of lentils in two cups of water for 20 minutes.
2. Finely chop the carrots and onions and fry in vegetable oil.
3. Combine vegetables with lentils, add a pinch of turmeric, cumin, red and black pepper. Salt.
4. Simmer over low heat until the lentils are soft.
5. Use a blender to smooth and smooth.
6. Add six cups of strong beef or vegetable broth.
7. Season with butter, sprinkle with chopped herbs and ground paprika.

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 whole shape and a pleasant delicate taste. Beluga looks exotic on sandwiches. In Europe, delicious soups and gourmet sauces are prepared from it, and in Asian countries they are mixed with rice or added to vegetable stews.

Green lentils were bred in France, in the small town of Puy, which is why they are sometimes called French or by the name of the city. It has a subtle, spicy swing and unusual flavors. Many gourmets consider this variety to be the most delicious variety in existence. Perfectly retains its shape during cooking and is recommended for preparing gourmet dishes. It is best to add it to salads.

The Puy variety is not always available, so its counterpart is slightly unripe lentils. It is brown-green in color and does not boil soft. It is easy to distinguish it from Puy, French lentils have a marble pattern on the grains.

1. Lentil grains should be uniform in shape and color. If there are small holes on its surface, it means that insects have liked it and are no longer suitable for food.
2. Do not mix beans purchased at different times, even if they are the same variety. Older lentils will take longer to cook.
3. For vegetable soup, lentils are thrown first and cooked until half cooked, and then the rest of the products are added.
4. If you are making lentil soup with meat stock, cook the meat first and then add the beans.
5. To make the porridge crumbly, boil it, drain off excess water and leave to swell under the lid.
6. Bay leaves, sage, rosemary, cloves are perfectly combined with lentils, and from vegetables - onions, carrots, tomatoes, garlic.
7. Spices are best added early, the taste will be more pronounced.
8. Cooked lentils can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
9. To avoid flatulence, add cloves.

Summing up

Now you know how useful and nutritious lentils are. Do not neglect it, and your diet will be replenished with delicious dishes.

Lentils are a dietary product, have a low calorie content and are indispensable for a slim figure. From it you can cook not only soups and cereals, but also bread, salads, pastries, meatballs and even sweets.

This amazing plant is not able to accumulate toxins and does not lose its healing properties even after heat treatment. No wonder lentils are called the queen of beans.

Eat it with pleasure and be healthy!

We present a variety of lentil dishes, which, according to recipes, are simple and tasty to cook without much difficulty. This is an affordable product that allows you to diversify your diet. Unlike buckwheat, peas or the usual rice, the word "lentils" is still unusual for many. Despite the fact that this flat seed of an annual plant belonging to the legume family can be seen on the shelves of many stores, not everyone knows how to cook it correctly.

Useful properties of lentils

So, how to cook lentils in such a way that its use will bring as many benefits as possible? Before you start the process of cooking this plant, it is worth considering its beneficial properties. The most important fact is that lentils are environmentally friendly. In whatever environment this plant would not grow, it does not accumulate toxic elements in itself. Even under adverse conditions, lentils are not saturated with nitrates or radionuclides. This quality makes it completely harmless to health and especially useful for nutritional purposes.

In addition, this product should be added to your diet for the following health problems:

• diseases;
• malfunctions of the digestive tract;
• urolithiasis disease;
• high blood sugar.

Lentil cutlets

If you want to indulge in lentil dishes, there are a wide variety of simple and tasty recipes offered by chefs. Many vegetarians have already appreciated such a simple but very tasty dish as lentil-based cutlets. To prepare them, it is enough to have a small amount of ingredients on hand:

• lentils - 200 g
• - 1 PC.
• potatoes - 1 pc.
• flour - 2 tbsp. l.
• vegetable oil - about 50 g.

These are the main components of the dish. You need to add spices and herbs to them to taste:

• garlic - 2 cloves
• turmeric - 1 tsp
• parsley - ½ bunch
• - ½ bunch
• pepper and salt to taste.

Step 1

Lentils should be thoroughly washed and then poured with boiling water. It should be cooked for at least half an hour until fully cooked.

Step 2

Carrots, as well as potatoes, must be boiled (this can be done in any convenient way, including in the microwave). When they are fully prepared, they should be cleaned.

Step 3

Next, you need a blender to grind the selected herbs, as well as garlic.

Step 4

In a blender with garlic and herbs, add boiled potatoes and carrots. Next, all the ingredients should be thoroughly chopped.

Step 5

Then the main component of the dish is added - lentils. All ingredients are ground again. Further, flour and spices, salt and pepper to taste are added to the finished lentil puree and other ingredients.

Step 6

The resulting porridge from lentils is ready for the formation of cutlets. They should be fried on both sides in vegetable oil.

This is a hearty dish of lentils, the recipe is simple and delicious. These cutlets go well with any vegetables.

How to cook green lentils?

Green lentils are the most aromatic variety. Cooks most often use this type of plant, because even after cooking it perfectly retains its shape and does not boil soft. Green lentils take a little longer to cook than others, but you end up with a flavorful base for many different dishes. The cooking process is quite simple.

It is required to start by sorting through all the beans and removing those that seem spoiled. Next, they should be thoroughly washed, and then put in a deep saucepan and pour water. It should be noted that two glasses of water will be enough for one glass of beans. Green lentils must be simmered until tender. Immediately after the water boils, add 1 tbsp. l. vegetable oil. The beans need to be stirred from time to time. Before removing the pan from the heat, add salt to taste to the water.

If you wondered how to cook brown lentils, then the process will be the same. The only difference is that this variety boils much faster, so the cooking process will take less time.

If you add salt to the water at the end of cooking lentils of any kind, you can significantly reduce the cooking process. If you do this at the beginning, then the cooking time will increase significantly.

Roast Lentil Video Recipe

Lentil salad

This ancient culture is suitable for preparing a range of healthy dishes. If you do not have much time for culinary delights, then you should pay attention to the salad recipe, which is based on lentils. There are many variations of this dish. The classic version includes the following ingredients:

• lentils - 100 g
• tomatoes - 1 pc.
• Bulgarian pepper - 1 pc.
• cucumbers - 1 pc.
• red onion - 1 pc.
• greens - to taste.

You will also need a small amount of ingredients for the preparation of dressing:

• olive oil - 1 tbsp. l.
• salt - to taste
• lemon juice - to taste
• pepper - to taste.

Step 1

Boil the lentils in the usual way (cooking time depends on the variety). Drain the water and rinse the beans with cold water.

Step 2

Bulgarian pepper and onion cut into cubes.

Step 3

Cut the cucumber into small cubes, as well as the tomatoes.

Step 4

Mix all the ingredients prepared for dressing. Mix all the prepared ingredients and pour over the sauce. Mix everything thoroughly.

Step 5

Sprinkle the finished salad with lemon juice and garnish with herbs.

Lentils: recipes for garnish

Among lovers of proper nutrition, lentils are often used as a side dish. To diversify its taste, you should not limit yourself to just boiling beans. You can add a whole range of ingredients to them that will help to reveal their full taste potential. So, boiled lentils go well with onions fried in vegetable oil and stewed carrots, tomatoes and. After you mix all the ingredients, you should add coriander and herbs to them. As for salt and pepper, they are added to taste. A ready-made side dish will be a great addition to fish, chicken or beef dishes.

Lentils in a slow cooker

A slow cooker is another easy way to cook fragrant and delicious lentils. It facilitates the cooking process, eliminates the likelihood that the beans will burn. The protein found in lentils does not fold. Pre-soaking the grains is not required. It is enough just to sort them out, rinse with cold water. The optimal ratio of the proportions of water and the culture itself is 2: 1. This will keep the shape of the grains, make them soft and pleasant to the taste.

In the multicooker, select the "Extinguishing" mode. For this, it is recommended to use boiling water, as this will make the cooking process uniform. Salt is desirable to add five minutes before the readiness of the grains.

Unlike rice or potatoes, lentils are rarely served on their own. Most often it is combined with various vegetables, adding herbs and spices. This enhances the characteristic flavor of the lentils.

Lentils cooked in a slow cooker retain their properties better. This dish is suitable for those who monitor their weight. Lentil grains can satisfy hunger for a long time, while being low in calories. This legume contains beneficial acids, which have a beneficial effect on health.

Lentil dishes - video

Lentils are a common staple in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. In Rus', it was also extremely popular, even bread was baked from it. But with the advent of potatoes, this cereal was undeservedly forgotten, and you can cook a lot of tasty and healthy dishes from it.

Lentils are a crop of the legume family, rich in protein and practically free of fat. In terms of its nutritional value, it is not inferior to meat. Thanks to Lentils are rich in iron during heat treatment, it does not lose its useful properties. This cereal is considered one of the best foods for people who adhere to proper nutrition.

How to choose the right lentil?

It is difficult to overestimate the merits of this cereal, but in order to fully enjoy its wonderful taste, you must first make the right choice. There are many varieties of lentils, and the method of preparation largely depends on the type of cereal.

The shape and size of lentils can vary greatly, but whole grains are always best.

1. French lentils are green in color. This is an unripe cereal, it keeps its shape perfectly and cooks longer than other types. Perfect for salads and meat dishes.
2. Yellow lentils are peeled green lentils. It goes well with vegetables and is suitable for soups and purees.
3. Lentil Pardina is a ripened grain. It cooks very quickly and has a light nutty flavor, suitable for casseroles, soups, stews and appetizers.
4. Egyptian lentils are red in color and have no shell. Cooked quickly, used for purees, soups and vegetable stews.
5. Black lentil or beluga - similar to black caviar, used in vegetable dishes, soups and salads.

Lentils should not be soaked, but simply sort through, separating bad beans and pebbles, and then rinse a couple of times under running water. For salads, it needs to be cooked the least, for soups and mashed potatoes longer. She it is laid in already boiling water, observing the ratio of 1: 2(1 tbsp. cereals to 2 tbsp. water). As soon as the cereal is in the water, the fire must be immediately extinguished to a minimum and cook for 15-45 minutes, depending on the dish you want to cook and the variety of lentils. Salt should be 5-6 minutes before cooking. After cooking, the beans acquire a delicate nutty flavor. You can cook not only in water, but use meat and mushroom broth or add a small amount of wine to the water, and after cooking - a tablespoon of lemon juice.

If you are cooking lentils as a side dish, add sage, rosemary, celery, bay leaves, cloves, etc. to the lentils. Amazing complement the taste of onions, garlic and tomatoes. You can also use various hot sauces: tomato, vinegar, mustard. It goes well with an olive oil-based sauce with the addition of lemon juice, mint and basil.

How to make lentil soup?

A very simple, rich and tasty soup that is prepared in just 15 minutes. For people who spend the whole day at work, and in the evening there is absolutely no energy left for cooking - this is an ideal option! The main thing is to prepare chicken or any other low-fat broth in advance.

Quick lentil soup

Compound:

1. Broth - 2-2.5 l
2. Red lentils - 250 g
3. Tomatoes - 2 pcs.
4. Onion - 1 pc.
5. Salt, pepper, spices (coriander, turmeric and Italian herbs) - to taste
6. Olive or other vegetable oil - 1-2 tbsp.
7. Carrots - 2 pcs.

Cooking:

• Put the chicken broth on the stove, bring to a boil and pour the lentils into it.
• Peel the onion and carrot, pour boiling water over the tomato and remove the peel. Cut the onion and tomato into cubes, and grate the carrots on a coarse grater. Heat a frying pan with a little vegetable oil and fry. Add diced tomatoes and sauté a little.
• Check the lentils for readiness, usually 5-7 minutes after boiling, put the roast, salt, pepper and add spices. Boil for 2-3 more minutes.
• Let the soup brew a little, you can squeeze a few cloves of garlic. Serve with chopped herbs.

Lentil soup with smoked meats

A wonderful soup with a smoked aroma and rich taste.

Compound:

1. Smoked ribs and knuckle - 500 g
2. Turnip - 2 pcs.
3. Carrots - 2 pcs.
4. Salt, spices, red ground Water - 3 l
5. Lentils - 300 g
6. Onion - 2 pcs.
7. pepper, herbs - to taste

Cooking:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Rinse the lentils and send to cook. Put the ribs in there.
• Peel and cut the turnip into cubes and add to the lentils.
• Peel onions, carrots and fry in oil until golden brown, put in soup.
• Cut the shank into large pieces and put in the soup when the lentils and turnips are almost ready. Drain, pepper and add spices.
• After 5 minutes, turn off the heat and let the soup brew.

What can be cooked from lentils?

Salad with lentils and cheese

Compound:

1. Lentils (preferably green) - 200 g
2. Parsley and basil - 1 bunch
3. Sulguni cheese - 200 g
4. Tomatoes - 3 pcs. (or 10 cherry tomatoes)
5. Olive oil - 2-3 tbsp.
6. Lemon juice - to taste
7. Salt - to taste

Cooking:

• Boil lentils with bay leaf, salt a little. Rinse and let cool. Place in a salad bowl.
• Tomatoes and cheese cut into cubes, if cherry - cut in half.
• Finely chop the greens. Dress the salad with olive oil and lemon juice, salt to taste.

Vegetable stew with lentils

Compound:

1. Red onion - 1 pc.
2. Sweet pepper - 1/2 pc.
3. Celery - 1 stalk
4. Olive oil - 2 tbsp
5. Balsamic vinegar - 1 tbsp.
6. Eggs - 2-3 pcs. (depending on number of servings)
7. Champignons - 5-6 pcs.
8. Young spinach - 200 g
9. French lentils - 200 g
10. Garlic - 2-3 cloves
11. Salt, pepper, Provence herbs - to taste

Cooking:

• Boil lentils until tender.
• Peel the onion and cut into half rings, finely chop the garlic and celery.
• Pour 1 tbsp into a deep frying pan. olive oil and fry the onion, garlic and celery.
• Peel the carrots, cut into cubes and send to the vegetables.
• Remove the seeds from the sweet pepper, cut into cubes, and mushrooms into slices and also put them in the fry.
• Cover and simmer until vegetables are fully cooked.
• Add chopped spinach and lentils to the pan, mix, pour in balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and season with spices.
• Fry the eggs in another pan.
• Serve in portions, laying a slide on each plate, and a fried egg on top.

How to cook lentils in a slow cooker?

Lentil curry in a slow cooker

Compound:

1. Olive oil - 1 tbsp
2. Green onions - 4 feathers
3. Tomatoes - 3 pcs.
4. Garlic - 2 cloves
5. Grated ginger - 50 g
6. Vegetable broth or water - 500 ml.
7. Onion - 2 pcs.
8. Lentils - 500 g
9. Sweet pepper - 1 pc.
10. Carrots - 2 pcs.
11. Bay leaf - 1 pc.
12. Curry powder - 1 tbsp

Cooking:

• Onions, carrots, peppers, tomatoes cut into cubes. Pour olive oil into the multicooker, add vegetables and select the Toasting or Uncovered mode and fry the vegetables for 10-12 minutes.
• Pour lentils in a slow cooker, pour in hot broth, put bay leaf, garlic, salt, pepper, add curry, ginger and chopped green onion feathers.
• Close the lid and select the Bean or Rice mode for 10 minutes.
• Served with chopped cilantro.

real lentils record holder among cereals in terms of protein and folic acid content! This dish is very popular among vegetarians, because its nutritional properties are in no way inferior to meat. For meat-eaters who observe fasts, it is also indispensable. Lentil dishes are easy to prepare, and they turn out to be very tasty, satisfying and healthy.

Lentils: cooking secrets + 3 amazing recipes

A good lentil dish will always find a place on the table in summer and winter. This surprisingly satisfying type of legume is almost on a par with meat in protein content, and surpasses many side dishes in taste.
However, like other legumes, grains, and seeds, lentils are a hard-to-digest food that, if not properly cooked, can hamper the digestive tract and cause bloating. Are there ways to avoid such unpleasant consequences?

The answer is: yes, and many intuitively use them all the time. Today - about the secrets of cooking easy-to-digest lentils, as well as 3 delicious lentil recipes for practicing the skill.

How to properly prepare lentils

Unprepared, lentils are literally a digestive challenge. The fact is that absolutely all legumes contain special substances - inhibitors that do not allow grains to germinate without sufficient moisture and literally block our enzymes, thus slowing down digestion. This is exactly what happens every time we boil dry lentils. Of course, with good digestion, such a process can pass without a trace. However, if you got the sensitive organs of the gastrointestinal tract, or if lentils get on your table with enviable regularity, then you should think about the "workarounds" of cooking.

Pre-soaking the lentils in water for several hours, which essentially mimics the entry of grain into moist soil and neutralizes inhibitors, also converts all nutrients into a more bioavailable form. Rinse the grains, fill them with water and leave them in a saucepan under the lid.

According to various sources, it is better to soak lentils for 3-7 hours or even overnight - that is how much is required to neutralize the inhibitors. Also, experts advise soaking lentils in a warm place - this way the process will go even faster. After soaking, drain the water, rinse the lentils and proceed to the selected cooking method.

How to cook lentils: useful tips

1. Pay attention to spices
Choose spices for lentils that have a positive effect on the absorption of legumes: asafoetida, turmeric, coriander, black pepper, fresh and dried ginger.

2. Choose the type of lentil
Different varieties of lentils, according to their characteristics, are better suited for different dishes. For example, green French "marbled" lentils practically do not boil soft, so cooks often use them to add to salads. Orange lentils are the perfect base for a hearty soup, while brown lentils are good as a side dish and as the main ingredient in a main course with meat.

3. Keep track of time
Lentil varieties also differ in cooking time. Boil red for 25-30 minutes, brown will be ready in 20-25 minutes, but for elastic green it will take all 40 minutes. It is important to note that it is not recommended to boil lentils in salted water, as this only increases the cooking time - just salt them at the end.

Red lentil and carrot soup

Light, nutritious and quick to prepare, soup is an excellent dietary lunch option for all occasions.

Ingredients:

● Cumin 2 tsp.
● Pinch of red pepper flakes
● Olive oil 2 tbsp. l.
● Grated carrots 600 g
● Red lentils 140 g
● Vegetable broth 1 l
● Milk 125 ml

Cooking method:

1. Soak lentils overnight. Drain the water and rinse it.
2. Heat the cumin and pepper flakes in a dry skillet until fragrant.

3. Transfer half of the spices from the pan to a plate, and add oil to the remaining ones and add carrots, lentils, broth and milk. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 minutes until soft.
4. Run the soup in a blender until smooth or more textured.
5. Serve hot with Indian flatbread, garnishing the soup with the remaining spices.

2. Salad with green lentils and red onions

A bright vitamin salad that can decorate even a festive table. To prepare this dish, we advise you to take a dense variety of green "De Puy" lentils, which will retain their shape when cooked.

Ingredients:

● Green lentils "De Puy" 250 g
● Juice of half a lemon
● Juice of half a lime
● White wine or apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp. l.
● Red onion 1 pc.
● Olive oil 2 tbsp. l.
Ground cumin 1 tsp
● Garlic 1 clove
● Mango sauce or dressing to taste 2 tbsp. l.
● Cilantro - a handful
● Cherry tomatoes 250 g
● Spinach 85 g

Cooking method:

1. Soak the lentils overnight and boil according to package instructions.
2. Mix citrus juice, vinegar or wine with a pinch of salt, then add the diced onion and marinate for a few minutes until soft.

3. In a separate bowl, combine oil, cumin, mashed garlic and your choice of dressing.
4. Add onion rings and combine with remaining ingredients.
5. Serve garnished with fresh cilantro.

Soup with sweet potato and lentils

A surprisingly warming, flavorful soup - just right for a rainy or chilly day. If there is no sweet potato, you can replace it with pumpkin or turnip.

For a 3 liter pot:

● 2.5 liters of broth with meat (I have beef)
● 1 medium sweet potato
● 1 medium onion
● 1 carrot
● 100 g lentils
● 1 tsp. tomato paste
● paprika, curry, cumin, salt, pepper
● greenery

Cooking method:

1. Peel the vegetables, cut the sweet potato into cubes, finely chop the onion, grate the carrots.
2. Put vegetables and lentils into the boiling broth, add tomato paste and spices and cook until the lentils are ready.
3. If desired, you can pre-fry onions and carrots with spices.
4. 10 minutes before readiness, salt and add paprika.
5. Serve with fresh herbs and sour cream.

Lentils are an ideal product for pregnant women and not only

Lentils have been known since ancient times as a highly nutritious food, high in protein, fiber, iron and folic acid (vitamin B9), making them ideal for pregnant women.
Thanks to folic acid and vitamin B, it can prevent the development of congenital malformations in the fetus, such as spina bifida and anencephaly. A high protein food, like lentils, is very important for pregnant women, as protein is involved in the development of fetal muscle mass.

In addition, folic acid can help combat the negative effects of certain medications. So, for example, a smoker or alcoholic can use lentils to restore their levels of folic acid, which is excreted from the body due to these bad habits.

Lentils are also rich in potassium, fiber, phosphorus, vitamin B5 and vitamin B6. Thanks to its high concentration of potassium, it promotes good blood circulation and regulates blood pressure. Eating lentils helps to cope with problems in the gastrointestinal tract due to the content of coarse fibers, which lowers cholesterol and helps control obesity.

As a phosphorus-rich food, lentils keep bones, teeth and skin in good condition and help restore their natural pH balance. Lentils are recommended for improving the biological functions of the brain.
In addition, vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, makes lentils an indispensable tool in the fight against stress and headaches, and vitamin B6 in its composition is recommended for diabetes, depression and asthma.


Thus, we can say that lentils are an indispensable product in the diet of any person. In addition to all of the above, lentils are a vegetable rich in iron, which helps fight anemia. In order to maximize the content of this mineral, you can add to the diet and citrus fruits - lemons, oranges and tangerines.

You can add lentils as a side dish to other dishes, you can use it in a salad, in combination with lemon juice. However, do not cook lentils for a long time, as they will lose their appearance, taste and many of their beneficial properties. The greatest amount of vitamins and minerals will be preserved if the lentils are sprouted, for this it must be washed, poured with clean water for 6-8 hours, after which the water is drained, the lentils are rinsed and left in a warm, dark place for another 8 hours.

Finally, I will say that lentils contain the following nutrients in their composition:
70 mg calcium, 1.50 mg iodine, 3.10 mg zinc, 40.60 g carbohydrates, 24 mg sodium, 10 mg vitamin A, 0.47 mg vitamin B1, 0.22 mg vitamin B2, 6.58 mg vitamin B3, 3.40 mg vitamin C, 1.80 mg vitamin E, 304 calories, fats 1.70 g, sugars 1.10 g, and purine 127 mg.

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

Ingredients

red lentils 1 stack Carrot 1 piece(s) Bulb onions 1 piece(s) Salt 1 tsp Vegetable oil 1 tbsp Ground black pepper 2 pinches

• Servings: 4
• Cooking time: 30 minutes

Red lentil porridge with carrots

The recipe for this porridge will appeal to those who save their time and watch their figure.

Ingredients:

Red lentils - 1.5 cups;

Carrots - 1 pc.;

Onion - 1 pc.;

Salt - 1 tsp;

Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp. l.;

Ground black pepper (to taste).

Before using lentils, rinse well under running water. Next, fill it with water in a ratio of 1: 2 (1 part red lentils to 2 parts water). Add salt, pepper and bring to a boil. After that, you need to reduce the fire of the stove to a minimum level.

How much to cook red lentils so that the porridge does not burn? About 20-30 minutes. While it is cooking, grate the carrots on a coarse grater and finely chop the onion. Put the vegetables in a heated and oiled frying pan and fry until golden brown. After that, add them to the finished porridge and mix. The dish is ready.

This porridge can also be used as a side dish.

Brazilian lentils with tomatoes

How to cook red lentils for a side dish without using a stove? You can use the microwave for this. This method of cooking lentils is borrowed from Brazilian cuisine.

Ingredients:

Red lentils - 0.5 tbsp.;

Tomato - 2 pcs.;

Onions - 0.5 pcs.;

Salt - 0.25 tsp;

Olive oil - 1 tbsp;

Ground black pepper -0.25 tsp

Lemon juice - 1 tsp

We wash the lentils and fill them with water for half an hour. After this time, we send the workpiece to the microwave, set to maximum power, for 10 minutes. Before this, you need to make sure that the water covers the lentils by 2-3 cm at least. Scald the tomatoes with boiling water and remove the peel from them. Next, we cut them together with onions into small pieces, mix with olive oil and send them to the microwave for 5-6 minutes. Tomatoes should become soft. After that, salt and pepper them, to give a piquant taste, pour over lemon juice and add to the lentils. After mixing, send the dish again to the microwave for 2-3 minutes. The Brazilian side dish is ready.