Lentils are year-round staples that should be in your pantry every month of the year. Why? For a few reasons, actually. Lentils are cheap; they store well; they’re easy to cook; they go with almost every type of food. Today, we’re going to specifically talk about green lentils.
Green lentils are popular as side dishes or mixed with other grains, like rice, because they don’t get as mushy when they’re cooked. They’re also larger and flatter than most of their counterparts (like red, yellow, brown, and black lentils) They’re also pretty healthy, with high levels of fiber and protein. And even though they’re dried legumes, they don’t require being soaked in water before cooking, like dried beans do. This makes prepping them a lot faster and easier.
How to Prep Green Lentils
While you don’t have to soak green lentils before cooking, you should do two things: first, spread lentils out on a countertop or pan and sift through the lentils to check for any debris, small rocks, etc. Once you’ve made sure that all you’re cooking is lentils, rinse them thoroughly in cold water. Once you finish, you’re ready to get cooking.
How to Cook Green Lentils
Start by adding water to a large saucepan. The basic rule of thumb for lentils is a 2:1 ratio: 2 cups of water or liquid (you can also use stock) for every 1 cup of uncooked lentils. If you’re using water, feel free to add some herbs for flavoring to the lentils. Bring water to a simmer – just shy of boiling. Quickly lower temperature to a normal simmer and cook uncovered for 30-40 minutes. Once the lentils have been cooking for about 15 minutes, you’ll want to try a lentil every so often to see how cooked through it is. If you like your lentils softer, a longer cook time will be necessary. If you prefer your lentils a little more firm, opt for a slightly shorter cook time. To be done, they should be tender but not mushy.
Once they’re fully cooked, strain the remainder of the water and return the lentils back into the saucepan. Add some butter and salt or whatever other season you prefer. We like to throw in some Indian spices, like curry, turmeric, and thyme for a delicious and wholesome dinner.
What’s your favorite type of lentil? How do you like to prepare it – as a side dish, a main dish, or in some type of soup or stew? Share your recipes with us in the comments!
