Lentils have many nutritional values, and thus – health properties. Lentils primarily contain a lot of protein, which can be an alternative to animal-derived protein, which is why vegetarians have fallen in love with it. It is also a very rich source of potassium, important for the heart and folic acid needed in pregnancy. How to cook lentils?
Lentils – a source of protein
Green and red varieties of lentils are the most popular. Regardless of the type, this plant is a great source of protein for vegetarians and vegans. In 100 g of cooked lentils there is as much as 9 g. In addition, it is very well absorbed.
It is worth remembering that to avoid its loss, lentils should be salted only 10 minutes before the end of cooking. The high content of potassium makes lentils prevent hypertension. The presence of iron helps to fight anemia. Due to the large amount of folic acid, lentils are also recommended for pregnant women.
Red Lentils
Lentils are legumes, one-year plant, belonging to the bean family. The edible part of this plant are seeds. It is grown in Asia, America, Africa and Australia as well as in Europe (mainly in Mediterranean regions). There are many varieties of lentils, each of which has slightly different properties. The difference in the seed colors also affects the different taste, cooking time or preparation options. There are red, yellow, green, brown and black lentils. Among the above-mentioned varieties, red lentils are the most popular. You do not need to put too much effort into its preparation, because the seeds boil very quickly and do not need to be soaked before. Red lentils are available in stores as dry seeds or as canned. Seeds should be stored in a cool and dry place. Stored for a long time, it changes color, but this does not reduce its taste and nutritional value.
How to cook red lentils?
Red lentils are really brown lentils without shells. Thanks to this, it is better absorbed by the body. Red lentils quite easily overcook, so usually they are used for soups and vegetable sauces. It does not require prior soaking.
To cook red lentils, rinse the portion with a sieve. Suppose it is one glass.
Boil 1.5 cups of water in a pot. We add lentils. We cook it on low heat, covered for 10 minutes, then turn off the gas and leave the lentils for 10-15 moreĀ in a pot. After this time it is ready to eat.
How to cook green lentils?
Green lentils are characterized by a mild taste, during cooking they do not fall apart as easily as red lentils, they remain loose. Unlike other legumes, it doesn’t have to be soaked before cooking, because it can absorb water quickly. We should boil it in a proportion of 2 glasses of water for 1 cup of seeds. The recommended cooking time for green lentils is 20-30 minutes. Tip: products such as tomatoes or wine, due to the acids they contain, can increase the cooking time of lentils – it is better to add them only after the seeds have softened. Salt added during cooking increases the hardness of the lentil seeds.