Cook lentils. Prepare a delicious side dish of beans

In eastern countries, lentils are called the poor man's bread. This representative of the legume family is very rich in fiber and natural protein. It can compete in its nutritional value even with some types of meat. Today we will learn how to cook green lentils.

Introduction to legumes

Lentils used to be considered a must-have dish on any table. But over time, the culinary traditions of our ancestors began to be forgotten, and today it is classified as a gourmet product. Many housewives who want to enrich their diet with healthy dishes are interested in how to properly cook green lentils. This is exactly what we will talk about today.

If you look closely, you will notice that supermarkets and grocery stores sell colorful lentils. It can be red, green, yellow and even black. This product is no different in taste. The only difference is the duration of the cooking process.

It is green lentils that give our body the greatest benefit, since this product is not pre-processed and, accordingly, retains a maximum of micro- and macroelements, vitamins and minerals. Now we will reveal several secrets of cooking green lentils:

• Despite the fact that green lentils are considered a relative of peas, it is not necessary to soak these grains before cooking.
• If you need to quickly prepare a dish with lentils, you can first soak them in filtered cool water.
• Before cooking, lentils must be thoroughly washed in a colander or deep bowl.
• Green lentils can not only be boiled. It is stewed in pots and cooked in a slow cooker.
• Lentils taste harmonious with basil, rosemary, laurel leaves, and pepper mixture. All spices and seasonings can be added to the water during the cooking process.
• How to correctly calculate the proportions of lentils and filtered water? It's very simple: for 1 tbsp. take 2 tbsp legumes. liquids.
• If the liquid has already evaporated during the cooking process, but the cereal has not yet boiled, add a little water.
• It is necessary to add water in small portions so as not to provoke a sharp temperature contrast.
• Some housewives are interested in how to cook lentils for food. This product is suitable for dietary nutrition and is prepared taking into account the basic rules and requirements.
• Add fine-grained table salt 5-10 minutes before the end of cooking. Otherwise, you will inadvertently increase the heat treatment time.
• Before cooking, lentils need to be sorted to remove impurities and spoiled beans.
• Boiled lentils can be seasoned with butter or sauce.
• Lentils can be used to make soups, aromatic and nutritious side dishes, flatbreads, lobio and even cutlets.
• Green lentils take an average of 40-60 minutes to cook, but for other varieties you will need much less time.
• During heat treatment, you can add one spoon of refined olive oil to the lentils. It will give boiled lentils an extraordinary taste and exquisite aroma.

So, we have found out the basic rules for preparing green lentils. Now it's time to discuss the recipe for a delicious side dish made from it. You can stew green lentils in a clay pot in the oven. Filtered water can be replaced with meat or vegetable broth.

A fragrant side dish - healthy and incredibly tasty

Homemakers who don't know how to cook green lentils as a side dish simply need to learn this culinary lesson. Green lentils are traditionally seasoned with sautéed onions and carrots for flavor. Now we will tell you how to prepare it correctly.

Of course, by analogy, you can cook lentils in a thick-walled container on the stove, but it will be faster and easier to cook these legumes in a slow cooker. The entire process may take more than 45 minutes. It depends on the functionality of your kitchen appliance.

Compound:

• 1½ tbsp. green lentils;
• fine-grained table salt to taste;
• 3 tbsp. filtered water;
• pepper mixture - to taste;
• 1 carrot;
• 1 onion;
• 2 tbsp. l. sunflower or refined olive oil.

Preparation:

One of the titled queens of dietary and healthy nutrition is lentils. This is the most ancient type of legume; people have been eating it with pleasure since the Bronze Age, i.e. 4000 BC

This product is rich in amino acids, minerals and vitamins. Vegetarians equate it to meat due to its high content of vegetable protein.

This type of grain has an amazing property: lentils do not absorb or accumulate harmful toxic substances found in the soil, so they can safely be called an environmentally friendly product.

This product is also an excellent source of iron. In order for this iron to be well absorbed, it must be served with a salad of greens and fresh vegetables rich in vitamin C. This cereal also promotes the production of serotonin, the hormone of joy.

You can read a lot about the amazing beneficial properties of lentils, however, you should remember that this product is difficult for the body to digest. If prepared incorrectly, a healthy dish can cause bloating and disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.

How to avoid negative consequences? It is necessary to first soak the grains in water for several hours, just in ordinary cold water, without salt or soda.

The soaking time depends on how much time has passed since harvest. If you bought lentils at the store, soak them in water at least overnight. During the soaking process, the grains will absorb water and almost double in size. In the morning, drain the water, rinse the grains and cook over low heat.

The water should cover the cereal by two centimeters (about two fingers). During cooking, you can add some seasonings, such as bay leaves, and olive oil.

How to deliciously cook lentils as a side dish

Lentils are a very nutritious product; you are guaranteed a feeling of satiety and energy for a productive day. And as a nice bonus, this product helps improve mood and fight depression due to the content of tryptophan, which is converted into serotonin in the body.

So, let's get ready!

• Lentils – 300 gr.
• Onion – 2 pcs.
• Mustard – 10 gr.
• Vegetable oil – 30 ml.
• Red wine or apple vinegar – 20 ml.
• Cloves – 1 stick
• Bay leaf – 1 pc.
• Garlic – 2 cloves
• Green onions – 5 pcs.
• Parsley - to taste
• Salt – 1 teaspoon
• Pepper – 1/4 teaspoon
• Nuts – 50 gr.

Below you can watch a detailed video recipe:

1. Wash the pre-soaked lentils and cook in a saucepan along with 1 whole onion, bay leaf and cloves for 35 minutes.

2. After 35 minutes, turn off the heat under the pan, remove the onion, bay leaf and cloves, and leave the side dish to cool.

3. Finely chop the second onion, green onions and parsley.

4. Prepare the sauce: mix the prepared mustard with vinegar, salt, pepper, chopped garlic and oil.

5. Mix lentils with chopped onions and herbs. Add chopped nuts and prepared sauce.

6. Stir and eat a delicious dish.

Recipe for cooking in a slow cooker

A miracle of technology - a multicooker helps us cook tasty and healthy meals for ourselves and our family. In a slow cooker, dishes are prepared as in a Russian oven, when all the ingredients were put into a pot at once, covered with a lid and sent to the oven to simmer.

In this recipe we will cook lentils with mushrooms in a slow cooker; the dish turns out very soft, tender and contains a lot of protein.

To prepare we will need:

• Red lentils – 280 gr.
• Onion – 1 pc.
• Champignons – 250 gr.
• Hot water – 480 ml.
• Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp. spoon
• Salt – 1 teaspoon

1. Chop the onion finely.

2. Cut the champignons into beautiful slices.

3. Pour oil into the multicooker bowl. Select the mode from the menu “frying” and “vegetables”, and press “start”.

4. Wait a little for the oil to heat up and place the mushrooms and onions in the multicooker bowl to fry for 7 minutes.

5. Turn off the “frying” mode and add the lentils, washed several times, to the bowl.

Secret: rinse the lentils several times to remove all the foam.

6. Pour hot water into the multicooker, add salt, stir.

Considering that when cooking in a slow cooker, the water does not evaporate, add a little less water than is written in the instructions on the package.

7. Turn on the “cereals” mode for 25 minutes and “start”. If you are using green lentils, you will need 40 minutes to cook them.

8. At the end of the cooking time, take out tender, uncooked lentils with mushrooms and treat them to your loved ones.

This dish is especially useful during fasting or for athletes.

The convenience of cooking in a multicooker lies in the compactness of the process itself: the oil does not splatter like in a frying pan, everything is cooked in one closed container. Set it up and go about your business.

Let the side dish brew for a bit and eat. Bon appetit!

Delicious dietary recipe for cooking lentils

There are several types of lentils: red, green and brown. The red one cooks the fastest, about 20 minutes, but it also boils harder than the others, so it is better suited for making purees or soup.

Green is unripe brown. Therefore, it cooks longer than others and retains its shape better. You need to cook it for at least 1 hour; it is best used for salads or side dishes.

Brown is a fully ripened green, has a light nutty aroma, and cooks fairly quickly in 25 minutes. It's also boiling over.

• Lentils – 1 cup
• Lime or lemon juice – 1/2 pcs.
• Ginger – 1 cm.
• Onions or leeks – 1 pc.
• Carrots – 2 pcs.
• Tomatoes – 4 pcs.
• Salt, pepper, sugar – 1/2 teaspoon
• Garlic – 1 clove
• Greens, basil, oregano

Unfortunately, legumes can cause discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, to avoid them, soak the lentils overnight in cold water, as described above, then they will be better absorbed by your body and will not cause gas formation.

1. Wash the grains several times and cook on fire for 20-30 minutes, depending on its variety. Cereals soaked overnight will cook faster.

2. Pour hot water over the tomatoes to remove the skin and grate them. You can use frozen or canned tomatoes, tomato juice or paste.

3. Add chopped garlic, lime juice, salt, sugar, oregano, and basil to the grated tomatoes or paste.

4. Chop the onion and ginger and fry in oil in a frying pan, stirring constantly. After 2 minutes, add carrots to the pancut into thin strips.

5. Pour a mixture of tomatoes and spices into the frying pan, pepper and simmer for 5-7 minutes over medium heat.

6. Add boiled lentils to the pan, add herbs, simmer for another 5 minutes.

7. Serve the finished dish with herbs. Bon appetit!

Delicious recipe with vegetables and smoked sausage

In this recipe we will cook lentils with vegetables. This is an excellent balanced dish: nutritious, high in vegetable protein, rich in vitamins and microelements. When combined with vegetables, dishes made from this legume are rich and light, similar to a vegetable stew.

Beans and smoked meats go very tasty. In this recipe we'll add some smoked sausage to the pan with some garnishes.

To prepare we will need:

• Lentils – 300 gr.
• Green pepper – 1 pc.
• Red pepper – 1 pc.
• Onions – 1 pc.
• Tomato – 1 pc.
• Carrots – 1 pc.
• Bay leaf – 1 pc.
• Paprika, pepper, salt - to taste
• Vegetable oil – 2 tbsp. spoons
• Garlic – 2 cloves
• Smoked sausage – 100 gr.

1. Chop onion, garlic, pepper, carrots with a knife.

2. Scald the tomato with hot water, remove the skin, and chop finely.

3. Pour vegetable oil into the pan and, one by one, with an interval of 2 minutes, add onions, carrots, pepper, tomato, and paprika. At the end, add the washed, soaked lentils.

4. Add hot water to the pan so that it covers the lentils by two fingers.

5. 5 minutes before readiness, add smoked sausage to the pan,it will add flavor and piquancy to the dish.

6. Before serving, sprinkle the finished dish with herbs.Bon appetit!

Lentils with onions and carrots

A very simple and tasty recipe for a side dish with carrots and onions. For an appetizing smell, add garlic.

To prepare we will need:

• Green lentils – 400 gr.
• Onion – 1 pc.
• Carrots – 1 pc.
• Garlic – 1 clove
• Olive oil

1. Finely chop the onion and carrots and simmer in a high frying pan in olive oil.

2. Add soaked lentils to the pan and add water two fingers above the grain.

3. Cook over low heat for about an hour. Salt at the end of cooking.

Below you can watch a detailed video recipe.

This legume contains:

• Folic acid contains 120% of a person's daily requirement.
• Phosphorus to strengthen teeth and bones.
• Large amount of vegetable protein.
• Low fat content.

Beneficial features:

• Easy to digest.
• Does not accumulate toxic substances from the ground.
• Useful for diabetes and pregnant women.
• Reduces cholesterol levels.
• Is a source of protein.
• Among the contraindications, the property of gas formation should be noted. It is undesirable for people with gastrointestinal problems.

How to cook lentils with meat

Lentils go well with chicken, so we offer you a recipe with chicken fillet.

We will use green grains in this recipe because... they do not boil down into puree like, for example, red ones.

In this dish we have combined plant and animal protein, so the food will be very satisfying and quick to prepare. And it will be delicious.

To prepare we will need:

• Green lentils – 1 cup
• Onion – 1 pc.
• Chicken fillet – 200 gr.
• Garlic – 2 cloves
• Seasoning for chicken
• Vegetable oil

1. Pour the soaked grains with cold water and cook for about 45 minutes.

Attention: in order for the broth to be more rich, the ingredients must be immersed in cold water so that, when heated, they have time to give their aromas and tastes to the broth.

2. Finely chop the onion and garlic and fry in oil in a preheated frying pan for a couple of minutes.

3. Finely chop the fillet, mix with seasonings and salt, add to the pan with the onion and garlic, fry until tender.

4. Pour the finished boiled lentil cereal over the finished fried meat. Stir and fry for another 3 minutes.

Delicious side dish recipe with rice and mushrooms

Lenten delicious dish of lentils, rice and mushrooms. In order for all the ingredients in the dish to turn out beautiful and appetizing, we will fry them separately. If you want to simplify the cooking process, you can combine and fry all the vegetables together.

To prepare we will need:

• Green lentils – 70 gr.
• Onion – 2 pcs.
• Long grain rice – 200 gr.
• Carrots – 1 pc.
• Mushrooms – 400 gr.
• Vegetable oil
• Water – 350 ml.
• Salt pepper
• Curry, turmeric

1. Wash the soaked green lentils well and cook until tender, about 40 minutes.

2. Wash the rice several times and leave it in water for 20-40 minutes so that the starch comes out of it.

3. Wash the mushrooms and clean them if necessary.

Attention: to wash the mushrooms beautifully, add 1 tbsp. spoon of flour, pour cold water, leave to stand for 5 minutes and then wash.

4. Finely chop one onion and fry in a frying pan until golden brown.

5. Cut the mushrooms beautifully into slices and also fry in oil until golden brown, adding salt at the end. If you salt the mushrooms at the beginning, they will release their juice and will not turn out as beautiful.

6. Combine onions and mushrooms and fry together for 1 minute.

7. Cut the second onion.

Attention: to prevent tears from running from your eyes when chopping an onion, do not cut off the tail of the onion prematurely.

8. Cut the carrots into thin strips and simmer them together with the second onion in a frying pan in oil. Add curry and turmeric to lightly fried vegetables. These are the spices that rice is always paired with. Salt and pepper.

9. Drain the water from the rice and add it to the pan with the onions and carrots. Stir until all the rice is saturated with oil so it doesn’t stick together.

10. Add boiled lentils to the pan with vegetables and rice, salt and add fried mushrooms and onions.

12. Pour the broth into the frying pan, calculating that for 1 cup of rice you need 2 cups of liquid.

13. Add chopped or whole garlic.

14. Place the frying pan on medium heat, cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes. The rice turns out crumbly. Bon appetit!

An incredibly healthy and protein-rich product (in some varieties the content reaches 26%) - lentils - were domesticated by humans along with wheat, peas and barley. This is evidenced by archaeological excavations in the East and Egypt. Even in the tombs of the pharaohs such a nourishing product, rich in vitamins and microminerals, was found.

The peculiarity of the culture is that it has different varieties that differ in size and color. In markets around the world you can find lentils ranging in color from white to black. There have been many interesting events in history that are directly related to this culture. Thus, Esau, the son of Isaac and Rebekah, sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for red lentil stew.

And during World War II, all United States soldiers were encouraged to eat boiled lentils because of their nutritional value and low cost. Recipes for preparing various dishes have been adopted by all peoples of the world; the French, of course, have been especially successful in this matter. But our chefs will be able to prepare the culture in such a way that you will lick your fingers.

How long does it take to prepare?

Much depends on the variety. So, red lentils take only 25-30 minutes to cook. The green one needs to be cooked a little longer - 40 minutes, but the brown one cooks the fastest - 20-25 minutes.

How to cook lentils?

In a saucepan

The recipe for a hearty dish is simple:

In a slow cooker

To prepare the dish, a home cook will use the following ingredients:

• 2.5 glasses of hot water;
• 1.5 cups red lentils;
• 1 medium sized onion;
• 1 carrot;
• 4 tablespoons of homemade adjika;
• Salt and pepper as desired, plus 2 cloves of garlic.

How to prepare lentil porridge in a slow cooker:

1. Finely dice the onion.
2. Cut the carrots into thin strips.
3. Set the multicooker to the “Baking” mode for 20 minutes.
4. The onions and carrots are fried for 10 minutes, after which finely chopped garlic is added to them for another 10 minutes. Close the lid and leave the multicooker until the end of the program.
5. The lentils are washed thoroughly several times, after which they can be added to foods fried in a slow cooker.
6. Add water to the products, salt and pepper to taste.
7. After this, you can add homemade adjika (some cooks replace it with tomato juice).
8. In the “Porridge” or “Rice”, “Pilaf” or “Buckwheat” mode in the multicooker, the cooking time is set to 50 minutes.

Microwave

The beauty of this recipe is that red lentils cooked in a microwave oven become soft, tender and tasty.

To prepare you need to stock up:

• Water (it should completely cover the lentils);
• Salt (to taste);
• Red lentils – 0.5 cups.

The cooking recipe is as follows:

1. Red lentils are poured into a special bowl;
2. Fill with hot water and salt.
3. At the strongest setting, the dishes are placed in the microwave; a lid is not needed. You can also cook using the “Vegetables” mode.
4. The product does not need to be cooked for long – only 7-10 minutes.
5. If you want to get tender and juicy lentils, you need to add a little more water and cover the dishes with a lid. Cooking time will also increase to 10-15 minutes.

• Before cooking, you need to rinse the product well and remove any debris from it.
• Add salt before finishing cooking, otherwise the cooking time will increase.
• For 1 cup of lentils add 1.5-2.5 cups of water.
• Red lentils hold their shape better than other varieties, which is important if you decide to prepare not just porridge, but a dish with the addition of ready-made lentils.

Recipe for making lentil puree soup

Ingredients:

• Lentils – 150 grams;
• Onion – 1 medium head;
• Carrots – 2 pcs.;
• Cream – 20 ml;
• Green onions, parsley, dill;
• Ground black pepper and salt - to taste.

When it comes to legumes, many people immediately think of peas or beans. And also a long and tedious wait for the moment when they are cooked.

However, it turns out that among legumes there is a vegetable plant that causes less trouble, but is also very healthy and nutritious. This is lentils.

Its grains are rich in phosphorus, iron, calcium, vitamins C, PP, B, and carotene.

In addition to important microelements for the body, lentils contain so much protein that they can even replace meat. That's why it's so popular in vegetarian cuisine.

Lentils are used to prepare soups, salads, various snacks, and purees. And for each individual dish a certain variety is required.

The fact is that lentils can be green, red, orange, brown and even black. And any of these varieties requires an individual approach, since lentils of different colors have different cooking times and the state of the beans after boiling.

But different types of lentils are prepared in the same way.

How to prepare lentils for cooking

• Lentils, like all legumes, are sorted, removing impurities, as well as deformed and spoiled grains.
• Then it is washed several times in cool water. Since it can be quite small, a sieve or colander with small holes is used for this purpose, through which the grains will not slip through.
• Most often, lentils are not soaked, since they do not cook for long. But if they want to further reduce the cooking time, then fill it with cold water and leave for 2-3 hours. It is not worth soaking it for a longer period.

How to cook lentils correctly

• The washed lentils are poured with cold water (2.5-3 liters of liquid are taken per 1 kg of beans) and put on fire.
• Quickly bring to a boil and cook covered over low heat so that the water does not boil and flow out of the pan along with the foam.
• To improve the taste during cooking, spices and aromatic herbs are added to the water.
• Salt at the end of cooking. But if you want to end up with whole grains, then they are placed in salted water. Only in this case the cooking time doubles.
• The cooking time depends on the type of lentil.
• Then the beans are drained in a colander and used for further cooking. To do this, stew vegetables according to the chosen recipe or prepare a sauce. Then add boiled lentils and bring to a boil again. Sprinkle with herbs.

You can also cook lentils in the same way as you cook rice or any other cereal.

In this method of cooking, the beans are dipped into boiling water. Thanks to this, they are less boiled.

• For a glass of beans, take 2 glasses of water or broth. Place on the stove and bring to a boil.
• Add lentils, stirring. After the liquid boils, reduce the heat and cook the beans until tender with the lid slightly open.
• Five minutes before the end of cooking, add salt.
• Greens, oil or other already cooked ingredients are added to the finished lentils.

How to cook lentil soup

• Pour enough water into the pan and bring to a boil.
• Add washed lentils.
• While stirring, achieve a rapid re-boiling, after which the heat is reduced. Cook the beans until tender.
• During cooking, vegetables are dipped into the broth in the order in which they would have time to cook. 5-10 minutes before the end of cooking, add fried onions and other vegetables. Then the soup is salted.

How to cook lentils in the microwave

• The lentils are washed and placed in a microwave-safe pan.
• Pour in hot water (take 250 ml of liquid per 100 g of beans).
• Cover with a lid and cook on high power for 15-20 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and mix with prepared vegetables or meat. If you want to cook lentil porridge in the microwave, add a little more hot water and cook until the beans are softened.

How to cook lentils in a slow cooker

• To prepare a second dish with different vegetables, place the ingredients in the multicooker in order and simmer, setting the “Baking” mode.
• After twenty minutes, add the washed lentils.
• Pour hot water (250 ml of water per 100 g of beans).
• Subsequent cooking is carried out using the “Porridge” or “Rice” program. To determine the readiness of lentils, be sure to taste them. At the end of cooking, add salt and mix carefully.

Before you cook lentils of one color or another, you need to decide what the beans will be used for. After all, each variety has its own cooking rules.

How to cook green lentils

Green lentils are slightly underripe beans. It has a greenish-brown color. These beans are most often used for main courses, appetizers and salads. Because although they take longer to cook than lentils of a different color, they hardly boil over and the grains remain intact.

Such lentils, after the water boils, are cooked 30-40 minutes.

How to cook red lentils

Red or orange lentils are much smaller than green ones. It differs not only in appearance, but also in cooking time. It cooks very quickly, but at the same time the grains are boiled. This is due to the fact that it arrives in stores already peeled.

Therefore, it is used to prepare soups, sauces, and purees.

Red lentils are placed in boiling water, brought to a boil and cooked over low heat. 10-15 minutes. Like all legumes, they are salted at the end of cooking.

To prepare the puree, the liquid that remains in the pan is poured out. And the hot beans are rubbed through a grinding machine or pureed using a regular masher.

How to cook yellow lentils

Yellow lentils are almost the same as green lentils. But it has already been cleared of the shell, which is why it turns out this color. It also belongs to the variety that boils quickly. It's enough to cook it 15 minutes, and the thick soup will be ready. These beans make a delicious puree. Especially if you soak the lentils in water before cooking.

Although, with proper preparation and under constant supervision, it is possible to ensure that its grains do not become too boiled and at the same time retain their shape. Therefore, in addition to soups, main courses are also prepared from yellow lentils, mixing them with vegetables.

For those who still doubt the beneficial properties of lentils, here is the following useful information:

• Lentils improve digestion. In particular, it helps get rid of heartburn.
• If consumed regularly, blood sugar levels decrease.
• Magnesium and manganese, which are found in these beans, improve the nervous system.
• Thanks to its composition, it strengthens blood vessels.
• Helps improve metabolism.
• These beans can replace not only meat, but also potatoes, as well as other cereals.

Knowing the rules for cooking lentils, as well as the behavior of each variety during heat treatment, you can prepare a lot of tasty and healthy dishes from these beans.

Lentils can be called a paradox on a global scale. Previously, she fed millions, but now it is exotic. And all due to the fact that many people simply do not know how to cook it correctly.

• green;
• brown;
• yellow;
• red;
• orange.

It is very convenient to constantly store green or brown lentils in the kitchen cabinet. It cooks quickly and is great for everyday food. Yellow, red, and orange beans become soft when cooked, so it is better not to cook them as a separate dish. But such fruits are perfect for soups and sauces.

It is important to purchase the freshest lentil beans you can find. Then they will be able to lie in the bins for several months without spoiling. Old crops take longer to cook and tend to crack during heat treatment. You can also see tiny white spots on it - these are small sprouts. It does not lose its taste, but spoils the appearance of the dish.

Before you start cooking, you need to get all the necessary ingredients. Along with the ingredients, there are also several kitchen tools needed to make this simple dish.

• medium sized bowl;
• large sieve with a fine mesh;
• small saucepan;
• stirring spoon.

The beans need to be thoroughly washed several times and removed from debris. There may be small pebbles or pieces of plants in the package. They can damage or break the tooth. Not very nice.

Place beans, bay leaves, and peppercorns into a small saucepan with enough water. Additional ingredients can be added to give the lentils a special flavor and depth. Such as:

• herbs;
• spices;
• garlic.

Cover the pan with a lid. Cook until it boils. Then reduce the heat to medium level. Lentil beans need to cook for about 25 minutes. This is the average. The culture should be completely covered with water, so liquid can be added if necessary.

When the culture becomes soft, it is ready. The cooked beans must be strained through a sieve and salted before serving. You can garnish the dish with herbs such as pepper, rosemary, thyme and sage.

Lentils include slow carbohydrates, which saturate the body with energy, but do not lead to obesity. Therefore, the global popularity of this product is growing again.

It will not be difficult for a modern housewife to prepare a delicious dinner from lentils in a slow cooker. This miracle device allows you to quickly prepare food with a minimum of effort.

The operating principle of the multicooker does not allow the original product to be burned. The procedure occurs under the active influence of steam. The culture quickly becomes soft.

First, the beans need to be cleaned of small debris and washed several times. Place raw lentils in a slow cooker and add water. For one cup of lentils, usually use 2 cups of water. It is better to use hot water. This will cook the beans faster.

If the dish involves other ingredients, then you need to lay them out at the beginning. Beans absorb the taste of meat, vegetables, and spices well.

You should not salt the dish initially. This will increase its cooking time. It is better to add salt 5 minutes before turning off the multicooker, stir, and let it brew.

Lentils belong to the legume family. It has many beneficial properties. The culture not only contains a lot of protein and keeps you feeling full for a long time, but is also an excellent antidepressant. Lentil porridge is indicated for diabetes, heart disease, and stomach disorders. How to cook it?

Boil water, add beans, cook for 15-30 minutes (depending on the type). Meanwhile, fry grated carrots, finely chopped garlic, and diced onion in vegetable oil. Then add spices, tomato sauce, stir, remove from heat.

When the crop is ready to salt, add it to the vegetable mixture, stir, and leave on the fire for another 3 minutes.

This porridge goes well with meat dishes and vegetable salads. This option for cooking lentils is very simple, but affordable. Suitable even for novice housewives.

How to cook lentil porridge? Sort the beans, rinse, add boiling water, cook over low heat until tender.

How much water is needed? Traditionally, 2 parts water to 1 part lentils.

Do I need to soak? Necessarily. The taste of the finished dish directly depends on this. Pre-soaked beans are more tender.

When to add salt? At the end, otherwise the cooking time increases.

What products should I combine with? Pairs well with herbs, vegetables and meat.

What spices should I add? Cloves, bay leaves, sage, and mint add a special sophistication to lentil porridge. The main thing is not to overdo it and ruin the dish.

You can find lentils in several colors in stores. These are not varieties, but the same crop, but of different maturity.

1. Green. Immature. A very flavorful crop that retains its shape well after cooking, making it an excellent addition to salads and other dishes that require the beans to remain intact. Cook for 30 minutes;
2. Red. It cooks quickly, but becomes soft and does not hold a good shape. Best used for purees or sauces. Cook for no more than 15 minutes.

When choosing beans, you need to carefully consider the size and presence of small debris. A high-quality crop should be 5 mm in diameter, without waste, and of the same color.

It is imperative to have an airtight package, as the beans absorb moisture strongly.

What can you cook from lentils? The first thing that comes to mind is soup. There is even a mention of this dish in the Bible, where one of the historical figures sold her birthright for a plate of red lentil stew.

1. Place the lentils in a heat-resistant container and pour boiling water over them for 15 minutes. The water should completely cover the contents. Steam will make the beans more tender;
2. Strain the lentils and add to the pan. Then pour in the broth and stir. After boiling, reduce heat and cook for another 20 minutes;
3. Prepare vegetables and spices. Pour oil into a large frying pan and heat it. Fry the onion, garlic, leeks, carrots, salt, pepper, thyme and cumin. Cook vegetables and spices for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add tomato paste;
4. When the beans are almost ready, add the roasting and cook for another 5 minutes. Easy, simple and healthy. The cooking time for the soup can be significantly reduced by boiling the lentils in advance.

Under no circumstances should such a useful product as lentils be allowed to remain unclaimed. It's tasty, healthy, practical. Can be used as a side dish or main dish. This article reveals many subtleties and will allow even an inexperienced housewife to cook simply wonderful dishes from lentils.