A faithful companion of mankind from time immemorial, healthy and tasty lentils (the legume family), is, along with cereal crops, a food product to which the human body is adapted at the genetic level. Dishes from lentils were also consumed by the inhabitants of ancient Egypt, Greece and Babylon, and lentils had different values among representatives of different classes. For the poor, it served as the basis of their daily diet, and for the wealthy classes it was a delicacy loved for its healing properties. The inhabitants of ancient Russia also praised the benefits and nutritional value of lentils, at one time it was even used in baking.
The first unique feature of lentils is that it remains environmentally friendly, regardless of the degree of environmental pollution. The second - vegetable protein, which is part of lentils , is in no way inferior to an animal, while not having fat components characteristic of meat protein. Unlike other legumes, before cooking lentils, it is not necessary to soak it, so at any time there is an opportunity not only to diversify your menu, but also to improve health. After all, lentils contain such beneficial substances as iron, potassium and folic acid, and it is especially recommended to use it for diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as for problems with the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. Useful lentils during pregnancy, as it helps the proper development of the fetus.
Lentils are red, brown, and green (unripe). It is very important to know exactly how much to cook lentils of different types so that it does not turn into an unappetizing porridge. Brown lentils are boiled, with preliminary soaking for 2-3 hours, 30-40 minutes. If you cook the lentils immediately, then it will take about an hour - one and a half. Green lentils are cooked a little longer, but it will take no more than half an hour to cook the red variety.
A variety of dishes are prepared from lentils - soups, cereals, meatballs, pastes, salads. Here are some simple recipes showing how to cook lentils simply and tasty.
Recipe number 1 - lentil stew.
For the recipe you will need: a glass of brown lentils; onion: a small carrot; half a small root crop of celery; two tomatoes; Bell pepper; vegetable oil; dry basil; marjoram; garlic 2-3 cloves; salt; fresh parsley.
Rinse the lentils well and cook. Grate carrots and celery, cut the sweet pepper into strips and fry all together in vegetable oil. Add onion, chopped into small cubes and fry for a few more minutes. When the lentils are already almost soft, put the fried vegetables in it, salt, dilute, if necessary, boiling water to the consistency of the soup and cook until cooked. At the very end of cooking, add peeled tomatoes and diced tomatoes, chopped garlic, spices and cook for another 5 minutes. It is good to sprinkle such a stew with parsley and serve with rye bread croutons.
Recipe number 2 - lentils with rice.
For the recipe you will need: a glass of lentils; ½ cup rice; 3-4 tablespoons butter; ground hot red pepper; salt; fresh parsley. In order for all the ingredients of this dish to be ready at the same time, you should take red lentils for it or, before cooking brown and green lentils, soak it for 2-3 hours.
Pre-prepared lentils, boil in two glasses of water. Separately boil friable rice and cool it to room temperature. Pour rice into hot lentils, mix gently, add red pepper and salt. Pour melted butter and sprinkle with chopped parsley. To such a dish, it is recommended to serve a salad of fresh vegetables.
And finally, a few more useful recommendations:
1. Before cooking, lentils should be thoroughly washed to remove possible debris from it.
2. It is better to salt the lentils at the very end of cooking, then it will cook faster and will be softer.
3. It is better to put lentils in boiling water, so it boil less.
4. Be sure to check the lentils for readiness from time to time, as it’s difficult to determine the exact cooking time.
Now, knowing how to cook lentils, you can safely fantasize by inventing new dishes for your menu.