Lentils are soft beans that are sold dried. It can be used in the form of cereals, soups, side dishes, chowder, cutlets. But in order to achieve an unforgettable taste of a dish of these beans, you need to know how to cook lentils. Modern recipes will allow you to achieve a delicious culinary masterpiece when using a slow cooker or in the traditional way on the stove.

How much to cook lentils until cooked

Before cooking lentils, it is necessary to sort it out, separating garbage, pieces of land, husk. For convenience, place the beans on a white paper towel or plate. Place the prepared lentils in a sieve and rinse under cold running water for a minute. Having decided to cook porridge from these beans for the first time, many housewives have a question, is it necessary to soak lentils before cooking? In order for the grains to retain their shape and not become very soft during cooking, they do not need to be soaked beforehand.

Depending on the dish you are planning to cook, the cooking time of lentils can be from 10 to 45 minutes. If you purchased chopped beans, then after 10-20 minutes you will get a mushy mass. Such lentils are quickly boiled, so it is ideal for mashed soups. You can increase the cooking of whole beans up to 45 minutes, leaving the lentils to languish under the lid until completely softened.

Features of cooking red, black, green and yellow lentils

There are about 11 varieties of lentils that differ in their color, grain shape, taste, and even the method of preparation. The popularity of this product is growing every year, so it is important to know how lentils are useful and how to cook them. The usefulness is, iron, B vitamins, folic acid, potassium, carbohydrates, as a result of this, lentils have become an integral part of the diet of all people. Regular eating of these beans is beneficial for:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• normalization of the urinary system.

First you need to decide what dish you buy these beans for and what you are going to cook. If you plan to cook porridge, then you need to purchase French green or brown, black lentils. Beans of this color have the ability to maintain the shape of the grains without turning into a puree mass. For soups and stews, red, yellow, orange lentils should be used, since during cooking it quickly and strongly softens, turning into porridge.

How to cook lentils in a slow cooker

In order not to take up much personal time, we recommend using a slow cooker. This unique multifunctional device allows you to get the finished dish without additional difficulties. You need to prepare the necessary ingredients and place them in the multicooker bowl. For cooking, you will need the following ingredients:

• washed green lentil beans - 1 multi-glass;
• water - 1 multi-glass;
• grain mustard - 1 tbsp. l .;
• sweet pepper - 1 pc.;
• freshly ground chili peppers - 1 tbsp. l .;
• finely chopped one celery root;
• canned corn - 200 g;
• tomato sauce - 4 tbsp. l

The cooking process includes several stages:

1. Carefully place the indicated ingredients in the bowl of the multicooker and mix with a plastic spatula.
2. Modern multi-cookers are equipped with many functions, among which there is a "Multi-cook" mode. Select this function, close the top cover of the device and you have one hour of free time while the technician prepares you a chic lentil dish.

What dishes are prepared from lentils

There are a lot of options for cooking lentil dishes. You can use these beans separately in the form of hearty cereals or prepare complex culinary works. To diversify your breakfast or surprise your family for dinner, prepare meals based on lentils. You can cutlets, a side dish for meat, and there are also recipes that describe in detail how to combine lentils with other types of cereals, vegetables.

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

How to make mashed soup

Puree soup is a thick consistency soup 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. The correct preparation depends on the accuracy of compliance with all proportions of the necessary ingredients. For this soup you will need:

• red lentil beans - 200 gr;
• chicken broth - 2 glasses;
• finely chopped red onion (medium) - 1 pc.;
• a spoon of tomato paste;
• grated carrots - 1 pc.;
• a pinch of caraway and pepper;
• salt - 0.5 tsp;
• clove of garlic;
• slice of lemon and mint leaves;
• hand blender;
• pan.

Soup puree is prepared using the following technology:

1. In a large saucepan, combine lentils, broth, onions, carrots, garlic, tomato paste, cumin, pepper and bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables and beans are fully cooked. It takes about 25 minutes.
3. Remove the pan from the heat and quickly soften the soup ingredients with a hand blender. You should get a mashed mass. When mixing, be careful that the blender does not spray hot soup, use a low speed.
4. Then you need to add salt and squeeze a slice of lemon. If you wish, you can decorate with mint leaves on top.

Lentils with Chicken Meat

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, caraway seeds, curry;
• large onion.

We will tell you in stages, with chicken meat.

1. Prepare the chicken breast by first dressing the sirloin meat from bones and skin.
2. Cut the meat into large pieces and fry with chopped onions and tomato paste. Cook chicken breast for about 10 minutes.
3. Then boil the lentils for 15 minutes.
4. Combine all the ingredients in a heat-resistant dish and put in the oven to bake for another 10 minutes.
5. In order for the dish to acquire a beautiful color and rich taste, add a teaspoon of curry.

How to cook lentils with vegetables

Lentils go well with all vegetables. You can cook it with potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, pumpkin, onions. But in order to do this, prepare the following components:

• two large potatoes;
• ginger root;
• clove of garlic;
• one carrot;
• curry - 1 tbsp;
• one glass of red lentils;
• three glasses of water;
• broth - 1 glass;
• vegetable oil;
• deep frying pan.

1. First you need to boil the lentils for 10-15 minutes until half cooked.
2. Then put chopped garlic, ginger and curry in a preheated pan.
3. After a couple of minutes, add the carrots and potatoes that were previously diced. Cooking takes about 5 minutes.
4. Then put the lentils in the pan and pour the broth over it.
5. Five minutes later, you can serve to the table, decorating with a slice of lime on top.

How to make porridge from lentils

Lentil cereals are characterized by the presence of a large number of vitamins. To properly cook such porridge, you need to strictly adhere to the proportions. You need to boil in a ratio of 1: 3, that is, pour three glasses of cold water into a pan of beans. Also, do not use chopped beans for cereals, because they quickly turn into mashed potatoes. After pouring lentils in water, cook on average 15 minutes. Cooking time may increase if you use black or brown lentils for porridge, which must be cooked for at least 25 minutes.

Lentil Slimming Dishes

The peculiarity of these beans is that they do not contain fats in their composition. Calorie cooked lentils reaches only 111 kcal. Therefore, you can use a lentil diet to normalize weight. Daily use of cereals will contribute to rapid weight loss. The recipe is simple, so you can quickly and easily cook it for breakfast. You will need:

• red lentils - 100 g;
• water - 3 glasses;
• chopped half of the onion;
• carrots, grated - 1 pc.;
• vegetable oil - 2 tbsp. l .;

Pour thoroughly washed beans with cold water and cook for 15 minutes. From vegetables, make a dressing in the pan for porridge, frying carrots and onions until golden brown. Combine all the finished ingredients and mix. For dietary porridge, do not use seasonings and salt. With the help of such a breakfast you will be full all day and the diet will not cause difficulties in observing it.

Lentil cutlets: the best recipe with a photo

You can replace traditional meatballs with lentil. The recipe is simple, so to repeat it you will need to cook everything for no more than 30 minutes. First you need to decide on the ingredients and kitchen appliances that need to be prepared in advance. For everything to go quickly and accurately, stick to the following list:

• red or green lentils - half a cup.
• coarse salt - a pinch.
• two large eggs.
• one cup of breadcrumbs.
• parsley - 2 branches.
• olive oil - 2 tsp
• red onion - 1 head.
• one big carrot.
• caraway seeds - ½ tsp
• coriander - ½ tsp
• garlic - 3 cloves.
• large frying pan.
• spatula for turning cutlets.
• a bowl.
• blender.

Cooking lentil cutlets consists of the following steps:

1. Pour lentil beans with three glasses of water and bring to a boil. The whole cooking process will take about 20 minutes. Then drain and let cool completely in a separate bowl.

1. Place the rest of the beans 1/2 teaspoon of salt, diced red onions, eggs, breadcrumbs, coriander, caraway seeds, carrots and parsley grated in a blender bowl. Stir everything until smooth.

1. Then heat a large frying pan after pouring oil on it. Form lentil patties of a round small shape, roll lightly in breadcrumbs. Gently place in a pan and fry on one side until crisp and brown. About 4 minutes to cook. Then you need to turn the patties on the back side and repeat the roasting process.

1. Remove the finished lentil patties from the pan to a separate container. When they have cooled, put on a large dish, previously decorated with lettuce. You can pour the cutlets on top with sour cream or mayonnaise, sprinkle with chopped red onions and parsley.

Video recipe: The most delicious lentil side dish

Lentil beans are ideal for preparing various dishes, as well as side dishes for meat and fish. To do this, you need twenty minutes of free time and ingredients that are easy to find in your kitchen. If you do not know, then we recommend watching a video where the culinary specialist tells in detail the amazing recipe for preparing a side dish. The exact proportions of the necessary ingredients for this dish are also provided so that you can repeat it at home.

Lentils: cooking secrets + 3 amazing recipes

  A good dish from lentils will always find a place on the table both in summer and in winter. This surprisingly satisfying type of legumes in terms of protein content is almost on a par with meat, and surpasses many garnish bases in taste.
  However, like other legumes, cereals and seeds, lentils are a difficult-to-digest product, which, if improperly prepared, can impede the functioning of the digestive tract and cause bloating. Are there any ways to avoid such unpleasant consequences?

We answer: yes, and many intuitively constantly use them. Today - about the secrets of cooking easy to assimilate lentils, as well as 3 delicious lentil recipes for practicing the skill.

How to prepare lentils

In unprepared form, lentils are literally a challenge to digestion. The fact is that absolutely all legumes contain special substances - inhibitors, which prevent the grains from germinating without enough moisture and literally block our enzymes, thus inhibiting digestion. This is what happens every time when we boil dry lentils. Of course, with good digestion, such a process can go without a trace. However, if you got the sensitive organs of the gastrointestinal tract or lentils with enviable regularity get to your table, then you should think about the "workarounds" of the preparation.

It is this method - pre-soaking lentils for several hours in water, which essentially simulates the ingress of grain into moist soil and neutralizes inhibitors, also converting all nutrients to 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 at night - this is exactly what is required to neutralize the inhibitors. Also, experts advise soaking lentils in a warm place - so the process will go even faster. After soaking, drain the water, rinse the lentils and go to the selected cooking method.

How to Cook Lentils: Useful Tips

1. Pay attention to spices
  Choose with your company lentils spices that positively influence the absorption of legumes: asafoetida, turmeric, coriander, black pepper, fresh and dried ginger.

2. Choose the type of lentil
  Different varieties of lentils are better suited for different dishes. For example, green French, "marble" lentils practically do not boil, so cooks often use it to add to salads. Orange lentils are an ideal base for a rich soup, but brown lentils are well suited as a side dish and as the main ingredient of a main dish with meat.

3. Take time
  Lentil varieties also vary in cooking time. Cook 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 cook lentils in salted water, as this only increases the cooking time - just salt it at the end.

Red Lentil and Carrot Soup

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

Ingredients:

  ● Cumin 2 tsp
  ● 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 and rinse it.
  2. Heat the cumin and pepper flakes in a dry frying pan until the aroma opens.

3. Transfer half the portion of spices from the pan to the plate, 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. Skip the soup with a blender until you get a uniform or more textured consistency.
  5. Serve hot with Indian cakes, garnishing the soup with the remaining portion of 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 recommend taking a dense grade of green lentils "De Puy", which will retain its shape when cooking.

Ingredients:

  ● Green lentils "De Puy" 250 g
  ● Juice of half a lemon
  ● Half lime juice
  ● 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 them according to the instructions on the package.
  2. Mix citrus juice, vinegar or wine with a pinch of salt, then add the onion sliced \u200b\u200bin rings and marinate it for a few minutes until soft.

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

Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup

  Surprisingly warming, fragrant soup - just for a rainy or cool day. If there is no sweet potato, you can replace it with pumpkin or turnip.

On a 3 liter pan:

  ● 2.5 l of broth with meat (I have beef)
  ● 1 medium yam
  ● 1 medium onion
  ● 1 carrot
  ● 100 g lentils
  ● 1 tsp tomato paste
  ● paprika, curry, cumin, salt, pepper
  ● greens

Cooking method:

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

Lentils - an ideal product for pregnant women and not only

Lentils have been known since ancient times as a product with high nutritional value, it contains substances with a high content of protein, fiber, iron and folic acid (vitamin B9), which makes it an ideal nutritional product for pregnant women.
  Due to folic acid and vitamin B, it can prevent the development of congenital malformations in the fetus, such as cleft spine and anencephaly. A high protein product 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 drugs. So, for example, a smoker or an alcoholic can use lentils to restore their level of folic acid, which is eliminated from the body due to these bad habits.

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

Being a phosphorus-rich product, lentils keep bones, teeth and skin in good condition, its use helps to 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, it can be said that lentils are an indispensable product in the diet of any person. In addition to all of the above, lentils are a high-iron vegetable that helps fight anemia. In order to maximize the content of this mineral, you can add citrus fruits to the diet - lemons, oranges and tangerines.

You can add lentils as a side dish to other dishes, can be used in a salad, in combination with lemon juice. However, do not cook lentils for a long time, as it will lose its appearance, taste and many of its useful properties. The greatest amount of vitamins and minerals will be preserved if the lentils are germinated, for this it must be washed, added with clean water for 6-8 hours, then drained, rinse the lentils and left in a warm, dark place for another 8 hours.

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

Lentils are a common product in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. In Russia, 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 legume family rich in protein and practically free of fat. In its nutritional value, it is not inferior to meat. Due to the fact that there is a lot of iron in lentils, during heat treatment, it does not lose useful properties. This cereal is considered one of the best foods for people who eat good nutrition.

How to choose lentils?

It is difficult to overestimate the advantages of this cereal, but in order to fully enjoy its excellent taste, you must first make the right choice. Lentils have many varieties, and the method of preparation depends largely on the type of cereal.

The shape and size of lentils can be completely different, but it is always better to choose whole grains.

1. French lentils are green. This is an unripe cereal, it holds its shape perfectly and cooks longer than other types. Perfect for salads and meat dishes.
2. Yellow lentils are peeled green. It goes well with vegetables and is suitable for soups and mashed potatoes.
3. Pardin's lentils are ripened grains. It boils very quickly and has a light nutty flavor, suitable for casseroles, soups, stews and snacks.
4. Egyptian lentils are red in color and have no shell. Boiled quickly, used for mashed potatoes, soups and vegetable stews.
5. Black lentils or beluga - similar to black caviar, used in vegetable dishes, soups and salads.

It is better not to soak lentils, but simply to sort out, separating the bad beans and pebbles, and then rinse a couple of times under running water. For salads, you need to cook it the least, for soups and mashed potatoes for longer. It is laid in already boiling water, observing a ratio of 1: 2 (1 tbsp. Cereals for 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 varieties of lentils. Salt should be 5-6 minutes before ready. After cooking, the beans acquire a delicate nutty flavor. You can boil not only in water, but use meat and mushroom broth or add a small amount of wine to the water, and the cooking field is a tablespoon of lemon juice.

If you cook lentils as a side dish, put sage, rosemary, celery, bay leaf, cloves, etc. in it. Wonderfully complement the taste of onions, garlic and tomatoes. You can also use various hot sauces: tomato, vinegar, mustard. It goes well with olive oil-based sauce with the addition of lemon juice, mint and basil.

How to make lentil soup?

Very simple, rich and tasty soup, which is prepared in literally 15 minutes. For people who spend all day at work, and in the evening there is absolutely no energy left to cook - this is ideal! The main thing is to pre-prepare chicken or any other low-fat broth.

Structure:

1. Bouillon - 2–2.5 L
2. Red Lentils - 250 g
3. Tomatoes - 2 pcs.
4. Onions - 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 stock on the stove, bring to a boil and pour the lentils into it.
• Peel the onions and carrots, pour the tomato with boiling water and rid of the peel. Dice the onion and tomato, and grate the carrots on a coarse grater. Heat the pan with a little vegetable oil and fry. Pour the diced tomatoes and stew a little.
• Check the lentils for readiness, usually 5-7 minutes after boiling, put the frying, salt, pepper and add spices. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
• Give the soup a little infusion, you can squeeze a few cloves of garlic. Serve with chopped herbs.

A wonderful soup with smoked aroma and rich taste.

Structure:

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

Cooking:

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

What can be cooked from lentils?

Structure:

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

Cooking:

• Boil lentils with bay leaf, add a little salt. Rinse and allow to cool. Fold in a salad bowl.
• Dice tomatoes and cheese, if cherry - cut in half.
• Finely chop the greens. Season the salad with olive oil and lemon juice, salt to taste.

Structure:

1. Red onion - 1 pc.
2. Sweet pepper - 1/2 pcs.
3. Celery - 1 stalk
4. Olive little - 2 tbsp.
5. Balsamic vinegar - 1 tbsp.
6. Eggs - 2-3 pcs. (depends on the 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, Provencal herbs - to taste

Cooking:

• Boil lentils until cooked.
• Peel and chop the onions in half rings, finely chop the garlic and celery.
• Pour 1 tablespoon into a deep pan olive oil and fry onions, garlic and celery.
• Peel the carrots, cut into cubes and send to vegetables.
• Sweet peppers get rid of seeds, cut into cubes, and mushrooms with slices and also put to fry.
• Cover and simmer until vegetables are cooked.
• Add chopped spinach and lentils to the pan, mix, add balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and season with spices.
• Fry the eggs in another pan.
• Serve in portions, spreading on each plate a slide, and on top a fried egg.

How to cook lentils in a slow cooker?

Structure:

1. Olive oil - 1 tbsp.
2. Chives - 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:

• Dice onions, carrots, peppers, tomatoes. Pour olive oil into the slow cooker, add vegetables and select the Toast or Without lid mode and fry the vegetables for 10-12 minutes.
• Pour the lentils in the slow cooker, pour in the 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.

Lentils are a real record among cereals for protein and folic acid! This dish is very popular among vegetarians, because its nutritional properties are not inferior to meat. For meat-eaters observing fasts, it is also indispensable. Lentil dishes are easy to prepare, but they turn out to be very tasty, satisfying and healthy.

Minimum fat, the absence of contraindications, they are perfectly absorbed by the body, giving all organs the necessary vitamins and amino acids. It is these qualities that best characterize recipes in which lentils predominate - the most valuable source of trace elements and vegetable protein. The benefit is, of course, a huge plus in the piggy bank of this product, but what about the range of dishes? But in the culinary field, these small beans have succeeded.

Culinary features of lentils

Lentil recipes were known to mankind thousands of years ago, because these very grains were the basis of ancient agriculture and, accordingly, the diet.

This bean culture was most widely spread on the lands of Asia, but it was also revered on the territory of the Slavs since time immemorial.

Despite the abundance of varieties of lentils, only 4 of its varieties were widely used for culinary purposes:

• green (french)
• red (Egyptian),
• brown
• black (canadian).

In addition to taste indices, these multi-colored seeds also differ in cooking time and grain resistance.

The subtleties of cooking

So, if for cooking French lentils we need either 1 hour of cooking, or 10 hours of soaking, then brown and red beans will take two, or even three times less time for everything.

In addition, it is worth considering that the green look practically does not boil, and it is reasonable to use it for salads, soups and stews.

From red and brown lentils, you can cook an excellent porridge, casserole or mashed soup, taking into account the fact that it falls apart during cooking.

Yes, and such bean brethren also increase in the cooking process, too, if you consider that in 1 cup 210 g of dry cereal, then at the output we can get about 4 cups (850-1000 g) of the finished product. And how many wonderful recipes include this ingredient, you just wonder.

And with what you can make from lentils and how to cook various dishes from these legumes, we will be able to familiarize yourself in detail in this lentil post with vivid photos of these same dishes. And you will choose the best recipe for yourself, according to your personal taste preferences.

Lentil soup is simply amazing with its assortment, originality and taste. And even their cooking itself will not require any certain talents from the cook, everything is easy and affordable.

And for cooking the first dishes of lentils in a slow cooker, you don’t need much control at all: you downloaded the products, set the “soup” or “cooking” program and let the “miracle pan” “puff” while we go about our business.

Smoked soup

For those who have not had the pleasure of tasting a breathtaking lentil soup, this recipe will be a real discovery. Without wasting time, put on an apron and go.

Ingredients

• Brown lentils - 1 tbsp .;
• Smoked brisket - 200 g;
• Chicken drumstick - 0.3 kg;
• Potato tubers - 3 pcs.;
• Carrot - 1 root crop;
• Onion -1 pc.;
• Black powder pepper - ½ tsp;
• Lavrushka - 1 leaf;
• Dill and parsley - 1 bunch;

Cooking

1. We thoroughly rinse the cereals and soak for half an hour in boiling water.
2. In the meantime, prepare the vegetables: finely chop the onion into cubes, and rub the carrots on a coarse grater. Then we put the “baking” or “frying” program on the multicooker, pour a little oil into the bowl and send the vegetable slices to fry a little until golden brown.
3. Next, pour water into the container, spread the swollen lentils, sliced \u200b\u200bpotatoes, chicken drumsticks and slices of smoked brisket. And after the soup has been salted to taste and coated with pepper and laurel, we set the “soup” or “stewing” program for 40 minutes.
4. 5 minutes before the end of cooking, finely chopped greens must be added to the soup.

This hearty and surprisingly tasty dinner should be served in deep bowls, seasoned with a spoon of sour cream.

Diet Puree Soup

This is ideal for a spring diet. A bunch of vitamins, a minimum of calories and carbohydrates, because there is no room for potatoes! And, importantly, it takes less than half an hour to cook. So, let's begin:

1. Rinse the red lentils (1 cup) and fill with water (2 l) and cook. After 10 minutes, we send 300 g of cauliflower, sorted into small inflorescences, 200 g of zucchini, cut into small cubes, 100 g of celery root grated on a grater and a whole onion.
2. After 20 minutes, we remove and discard the onion, we got the flavor and color we need from it, and we won’t need it anymore. The soup itself is salted to taste, coated with spices as desired (turmeric, saffron, black or red pepper) and seasoned with celery or dill (1 bunch).
3. Now, with the help of a blender, we turn our dinner into a puree mass and put it in a soup bowl, decorating with rye crackers on top.

Lentil porridge

Who would have thought that in the world there are so many options for the second, where lentils are the main defendants. Cutlets and meatballs, zrazy and ravioli, side dishes and casseroles, the brightness of the taste of this bean culture most emphasizes all these recipes with photos.

And what delicious cereals can be made from these red grains. This delicacy will fit perfectly into a healthy diet, because it not only normalizes metabolic processes in the body, but also strengthens the immune defense.

And you can cook porridge like this:

• The washed grains of red lentils (2 cups) are boiled in salted water (4 cups) until cooked for half an hour on low heat.
• While the cereal is cooked, prepare the sauté. Grind onions (1 head) and carrots (1 root crop) with a thin straw and fry until golden brown in hot oil (50 ml).
• After that, mix the frying with boiled lentils, add a little black pepper (1/3 tsp) and herbs if desired.

The dish is ready.

This original and very simple dish will definitely become the crown treat of any feast.

For cooking, we need:

• 1 cup soaked green lentils for 10 hours,
• 2 boiled potato tubers,
• 1 onion head,
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp wheat flour
• ½ tbsp breadcrumbs
• 200 g of cheese
• salt and pepper to taste.

1. Boiled cereals, potatoes and chopped onions and then fried in oil, pass through a meat grinder, or mashed in a blender. In the resulting mass, add flour, pressed garlic, salt, spices and mix well.
2. In a heat-resistant form, greased with sunflower oil, pour the breadcrumbs, on top of which we spread the resulting stuffing. Sprinkle the casserole on top with grated cheese and send the baking sheet to the oven, preheated to 180 ° C, for 20 minutes.

Casserole to the table should be served hot along with a sauce of sour cream and grated garlic with salt.

Lentil Zrazy

Lentil zrazy will perfectly complement the lunch menu with any side dish, whether it is a vegetable salad, pasta or mashed potatoes.

Ingredients

• Brown lentils - 1 cup;
• Turnip onions - 5-7 heads;
• Chicken egg - 4 pcs.;
• Breadcrumbs - 1 cup;
• Salt to taste;
• Garlic wedges - 4 pcs.;
• Suneli hops - 1 tsp with a slide;
• Black ground pepper - ½ tsp;

Cooking

1. Rinse the bean groats soaked for 4 hours and place them on a sieve.
2. Meanwhile, finely chopped onion into cubes, fry in oil until light brown, and then twist in a blender with lentils and garlic until smooth.
3. Add the resulting slurry, pepper, season with spices and mix with 2 raw eggs. Boil the remaining 3 eggs hard and cut into ¼ lengthwise.
4. From the minced meat we make cakes, inside which we put slices of boiled eggs and then form oblong cutlets. Then bread them in breadcrumbs and simmer under the lid for 5 minutes, and then fry in oil in a skillet for 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.

This is just a fraction of all the dishes that lentils can give us. Recipes with this cereal are incredibly tasty, nutritious and interesting, which allows you to include them in the diet of vegetarians and in the menu during Orthodox fasting days.

Beans, due to their beneficial properties, have long been included in the diet; lentil kernels, from which side dishes and cereals are prepared, are considered especially popular. Given that this bean culture has different varieties, many housewives will undoubtedly have a question: "how to cook lentils"? In fact, there are no difficulties in this, the main thing is to know exactly how much each grade of beans is cooked, and what features of preparation it has.

Not only ordinary cereals can be made from lentil grains. Garnishes prepared on the basis of these legumes are considered equally popular. The technology of creating the dish itself is simple, you just need to decide in advance what kind of lentil it will be prepared from - red, brown, black or green. This will help to quickly make a light low-calorie lunch or dinner.

It is believed that red grains are not suitable for a garnish, since they tend to boil quickly, acquiring the appearance of mashed potatoes. But, nevertheless, the red variety has a pleasant spicy taste, and this is the most important condition in order to prepare such a delicious dish.

Ingredients

• Red lentils - 150 gr.
• Tomatoes - 2 pcs.
• Meat broth - 100 gr.
• Onions - 1 pc.
• Carrots - 1 pc.
• Garlic - 1-2 cloves.
• Vegetable oil - 1 tbsp. l
• Thyme - 2 branches (we use only greens).

Garnish Spices  (put to taste): black pepper, rosemary (dried), chili, paprika (red), salt, turmeric.

How to make a side dish

1. Wash and clean vegetables.
2. Cut the onion into half rings.
3. Three carrots on a fine (or medium) grater.
4. We pour the slices into the pan, pour the vegetables with vegetable oil and fry them for no more than 2-3 minutes, until a light blush. We pass everything on medium heat.
5. Soak lentil red plates in water for several minutes.
6. We make incisions on the surface of the tomatoes, after which we place the fruits in boiling water for a couple of minutes.
7. Remove the skin from the tomatoes and cut the vegetables into small cubes.
8. We put the tomato slices in a pan with onions and carrots, and continue to pass the vegetables for another 3 minutes over medium heat.
9. Add salt, lentils and meat broth to the sauté. Mix everything and stew vegetables for 2 minutes.
10. Pass the garlic through a press, then put it together with herbs and other spices in a side dish.
11. Finally, we simmer the beans with vegetables for another 5-7 minutes over low heat, after which the dish can be considered ready.

Serve the red lentil garnish hot. It is best to present it along with fish or meat dishes. It is advisable to serve legumes with sauce or ketchup, you can even make dressing for the side dish of the red lentils.

Ingredients

•   - 5 glasses + -
•   - 1.5 cups + -
•   - 1 piece + -
•   - on the tip of the knife + -
•   - 1 piece + -
• — 1 tsp or to taste + -
• — 0.5 tsp or to taste + -
•   - 1-2 tbsp + -
•   - 2 teeth + -
• Thyme - 2 branches + -

How to Cook Lentils Deliciously

It’s easy to make a delicious green variety, the main thing is to know exactly how much to cook the beans so that they do not lose their shape.

Since of all the popular types of this bean culture, green lentils are cooked for the longest time, many housewives avoid it when preparing a side dish. However, green plates to taste are no worse than red and brown varieties, so they can be safely added to vegetable or meat side dishes.

1. A few hours before cooking, we soak the bean grains: pour water into the pan and pour the lentils into it. Water is necessarily salted.
2. In a pan, heat the vegetable oil, then add to it for frying, squeezed under the press, garlic. You can chop the garlic cloves by hand.
3. When after 30 sec. garlic stewed in vegetable oil - reduce the heat to a minimum flame and put a piece of butter in the pan.
4. When the butter has melted, we send the finely chopped carrots and onions into the heated pan. We extinguish the cut until it acquires a pleasant softness and a beautiful transparent color.
5. Lentils, which were previously soaked, we take out of the water as soon as it "swells" and becomes soft. It is important not to overexpose it and to prevent it from losing its form.
6. We put the lentil grains into a pan, add chopped thyme to it (we use only the leaves) and fry everything over high heat. Do not forget to stir the side dish.

Serve the finished dish exceptionally hot. Before serving, you can sprinkle it with fresh finely chopped herbs or aromatic spices. It is not worth it to store boiled lentils for a long time, even as part of the side dish. It is better to eat portions made on the day of preparation.

From this bean variety it is easy to make a delicious dinner for the whole family in just 30 minutes. Brown grains are boiled faster than others, however, in their preparation there are a lot of features, the knowledge of which can not be done. Therefore, how to cook lentils of a dark variety is described in detail in a step-by-step recipe.

Ingredients

• Brown lentils - 1 cup;
• Tomato paste - 3 tbsp. l .;
• Boiled rice (basmati) - 4 glasses;
• Garlic - 3 cloves;
• Red onion - 2 glasses;
• Salt - ¼ tsp;
• Vegetable (or olive) oil - 2 tsp;
• Cilantro (fresh) - ¼ cup;
• Vegetable broth - 3 glasses;
• Spices to taste.

Cooking

1. Soak brown lentils in advance in water.
2. Wash and peel vegetables.
3. Finely chop the onion, garlic and cilantro.
4. In a saucepan over low heat, heat the oil.
5. Add chopped onion to the preheated dishes and simmer it, stirring occasionally. Extinguishing time - 15 minutes.
6. When the onion in the pan softens, add garlic to it, which we also simmer on the fire for 5 minutes.
7. Pour roasting 3 tbsp. l tomato paste, and sprinkle everything on top with spices. It is desirable that the seasoning be sharp, you can immediately use a mixture of spices, for example, Berber. Stew vegetables with seasoning and pasta for another 1 minute.
8. Pour the products with vegetable broth and bring them to a boil over high heat.
9. Once the grains are softened, transfer them to the pan, cover and cook for 20-25 minutes.
10. Cooking the lentils until cooked, salt them to taste. After that, mix the prepared beans with boiled rice - and serve the side dish to the table.
11. Laying out the dish in portions, decorate it with cilantro or any other greens.

You can serve a side dish not only with fresh vegetables, but also with fresh or pickled mushrooms, stewed chicken, fish or beef.

Soak

Soak or not

Is lentils soaked before cooking - the most common question among most housewives. There is an opinion that lentil grains are one of the few types of legumes that are not necessary to soak. This is true, but not a single bean grain has been affected by the “bathing” in the water.

It is important not to forget that the lentil plates lying in home bins become dry over time, and therefore they need a fresh sip of water.

What is the time to soak lentils

Another, no less important, question that interests the housewives is how long does it take to soak lentils?

If the ripened grains are several months old, then 8 hours will be enough, but if the lentils lie for six months, or even a year, then the soaking time can be increased to 12-24 hours. The longer the product lies, the more it will soak.

However, it is worth noting that it is not necessary to soak the plates for so long. Sometimes, it is enough to lower the grains into the water for just a few minutes, so that they soften a little and get their original shape.

Calorie table and cooking time of lentils

Not all housewives know well how to cook brown, red, green and black lentils (another name is beluga lentils). One thing is known for sure that they have different cooking times and calories.

To make cooking simple and bring only pleasure - use the table below, which shows the calories of known types of lentils and the time for which they are cooked until cooked.

Now you know how to cook lentils of different varieties. All the secrets for its preparation are easily applied in practice. Prepare a variety of independent dishes from bean grains or add lentils as an additional ingredient in the side dish. Let your cooking be successful and lentil treats amazingly delicious.

Enjoy your meal!