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Last updated on November 18th, 2020 at 11:42 am
Lentil.s. One of my favorite things in the world – healthy, high-fiber, super cheap and incredibly delicious.
I still have to find a person who doesn’t like lentils. Once you eat lentils, you will want to eat them all the time.
Welcome to my world.
I have made quite a few recipes with lentilsand this is a very basic one to use in awesome salads like this spicy lentil saladand in all kinds of wraps.
These lentils are spicy, flavorful, easy and will make you a very happy person.
Here’s what you’ll do:
1. You’ll soak those lovelylentils for a few hours, probably overnight, because who can think of that in the morning? (MEEEEEEE, I always think of lentils). But hey even if you forget to soak the lentils, who cares?Some lentils don’t even need soaking.
Make sure you look for stones and wash them afterwards. I have to admit I never actually search them through for stones or crystals or diamonds and last time I did I found a few real big rocks in there. Some were pretty so I kept them and made a necklace.
2. Okay next, you take a deep pan with a lid put it on a (functioning) stove and then you add your lentils in. You pour in some water, some salt and cook the lentilsuntil they’re tender like the love of Elvis Presley (great, now I’ll have to sing this all day).
3. Then at the last moment, BAM! you add your spices. Surprise, surprise lentils!Meet your new best friends– turmeric, dried chili peppers and his majesty garlic. And then you’re done.
Let the lentilscool off and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days (3-4). I am pretty sure they should also freeze well.
Once you let the lentilscool off they’ll seem a little dry on their own. That’s why you need to combine them with fresh vegetables, some olive oil, this dip or this spicy vegan & paleo cream cheese like I did in this mini pita from outer space.
Health and Beauty Benefits
These spicy lentils will get rid of toxins in your body, help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce chronic inflammation. On top they’ll boost your vegetable intake are high-fiber, high-protein and antioxidant-rich.
What you’ll need for this Recipe
- A deep nonstick pan with a lid anda (functioning) stove.
- Green or brown lentils. Red or yellow would get too mushy for this.
- Spices: Turmeric, Garlic, Cumin, Chilli Peppers and a fewother ingredients
I have to be very honest with you here: some types of brown/green lentils cook faster and some take really long. And the worst thing is, I don’t know which. And I don’t know why!!! It makes me insane.
One time when I was visiting my mom I wanted to make lentils and instead I made a big drama because I was hungry and the lentils she had there, cooked a million times slower than the ones I usually use.
Mine take about 15-20 minutes to cook. Red and yellow lentils need even less time.
Yield: 3
Basic Spicy Lentil Recipe With Turmeric & Herbs
Make this healthy basic lentil recipe with turmeric and herbs to use in wraps, bowls and salads. This recipe is easy, vegan and gluten-free!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried green/brown lentils (200g), soaked overnight
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp majoram
- 1 garlic clove, sliced
- 1 tsp ground chili
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the pitas:
- my sunflower cream cheese
- mini (or normal sized) pitas
- vegetables such as: tomato, cucumber, basil/parsley, spring onion
Instructions
- In a large pan cook lentils with salt and around 2 cups of water at medium high heat. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cook 10-12 minutes. Check if lentils are done, water should almost be gone, but there still should be some. If there isn’t add a little (around 1/3 cups)
- Add garlic, turmeric, chili, majoram, stir very well until lentils are covered well take that beautiful yellow color of the turmeric and the water is completely gone. Turn off heat, add olive oil. Use in wraps, like this with some sauce/dip or cool off and use in a salad.
- For pitas: Fill pitas with the turmeric lentils (depending on how big the pitas are can vary, but about 2 tbsp), some chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, some peppers, basil/parsley some spring onions and a tbsp. of this spicy paleo cream cheese sauce.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
3 Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 199Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 10mgSodium: 443mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 8gSugar: 5gProtein: 9g
And that’s it! Ready in about 20 minutes and soooo goood! If you make these lentils (which in my humble opinion, everyone on Earth should do), go ahead and try thisvery easy salad recipe I used them in.
Hope you like them and make sure to try the mini pitas or they will be sad.
You Might Also Like:
Super Delicious Healthy Lentil Bowls
FAQs
To prepare lentils, first rinse them in a strainer. Next, place one cup of lentils in a large pot with 2½ cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain well.
How long does it take to cook lentils? ›
Bring to a boil, cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer until they are tender. For whole lentils, cook time is typically 15-20 minutes. For split red lentils, cook time is typically only about 5-7 minutes. Be sure to season with salt after cooking – if salt is added before, the lentils will become tough.
What is lentils good for cooking? ›
Lentils are great in soups, as an addition to salads, and as a vegetarian protein source in recipes traditionally made with meat. Similar to rice, lentils take on whatever flavors you add to the pot. Instead of plain water, cook lentils in a broth or stock.
What are lentils made of? ›
Lentils are edible seeds from the legume family. They're well known for their lens shape and sold with or without their outer husks intact. Though they're a common food staple in countries such as Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia, the greatest production of lentils nowadays is in Canada ( 1 , 2).
What makes lentils taste better? ›
If you don't have stock on hand, add onion, carrots, celery, garlic cloves and/or herbs to the pot. All of these are mild flavors that can jump in any direction depending on how you're going to use the cooked lentils.
What happens if you don't soak lentils before cooking? ›
Why Should You Soak Lentils? Certain pulses have a natural drive of causing gas and bloating in the body. Soaking mimics the natural germination process and changes the seed that is dormant and indigestible into the dal laden with nutrients and complete digestibility.
How much does 1 cup of lentils make? ›
As a general rule, one cup of dried lentils yields two to two-and-a-half cups of cooked lentils. Because of their rather delicate, earthy flavor, lentils work well in a variety of dishes and in almost any type of cuisine.
Is it better to soak or boil lentils? ›
You do have to cook them, although soaking them first can have benefits. It does things to the enzymes that make the lentils less starchy and easier to digest with less gas. If you want them cold for a salad, you'll still have to cook them, then rinse in cool water.
Can you overcook lentils? ›
Yes, you can overcook lentils; they will become mushy. Much depends on the type of lentil you're using. Some cook quicker and hold their shape better than others. To avoid overcooking them, always follow the cooking directions in your recipe and use the type of lentils called for in the ingredient list.
What pairs well with lentils? ›
If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.
Here are some good food combinations with lentils:
- Lentils and Rice: Lentils and rice make a classic and satisfying combination. ...
- Lentils and Vegetables: Lentils pair well with a wide range of vegetables. ...
- Lentils and Tomatoes: Tomatoes complement lentils beautifully and enhance their flavors.
However, it's worth bearing in mind – if you are planning on eating lentils every day – that the fibre they contain can be difficult to break down and can potentially cause gas and cramping if you eat too much of it.
Which color lentil is healthiest? ›
Black Lentils (Beluga lentils)
Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.
What happens if you don't rinse lentils? ›
You're fine to eat unrinsed lentils. The only real reason to rinse it to remove possible dirt, and perhaps a tad of starch.
What do lentils do to your gut? ›
Lentils are rich in a type of fiber that helps your digestive system work as it should and fuels good bacteria in your gut. Fiber may also help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. “Fiber plays an important role in regulating our bowels and protecting the immune system,” says Homan.
What is the healthiest way to eat lentils? ›
The Bottom Line
Lentils are a nutritious food that's low-fat and high in protein and fiber. While they make a delicious addition to a soup, stew or salad, you should not eat them raw. No matter which type of lentils you buy, you can easily cook them by boiling your lentils in water on the stove.
What is the best thing to eat with lentils? ›
Here are some good food combinations with lentils:
- Rice and Lentils (Khichdi): A classic combination in many cuisines, khichdi is a comforting dish made by cooking lentils and rice together. ...
- Lentil Soup with Vegetables: Lentils pair well with a variety of vegetables like carrots, celery, tomatoes, and spinach.
Soaking lentils and legumes is not just great for better nutrient absorption, but it also helps in stimulating Amylase, which is a molecule that helps in breaking the complex starch in lentils and legumes, making them easier to digest.
Do I need to soak lentils or not? ›
Lentils do not require it but can be soaked in order to reduce cooking time by about half. Before cooking, rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove debris or shrivelled lentils, then drain.
