Cooking Lentils

Cooked lentils dish
Photo: Luciano Belviso – CC BY 2.0 | cropped to square

BEFORE COOKING:

Before cooking, rinse red and green lentils under running water (do not soak). Soak brown lentils in cold water for 3–6 hours.

COOKING:

Add them to boiling water (2 cups of water for 1 cup of lentils). Cook red lentils for 15–20 minutes, green lentils for 25–30 minutes, and brown lentils for 40–50 minutes. Skim off the foam occasionally. Salt the water just before the end of cooking (1–2 teaspoons per liter of water). Optionally, add soy sauce. The lentils will be tastier if you add rosemary, sage, celery, bay leaf, and a tablespoon of olive oil during cooking. Cook covered with the lid slightly ajar. The lentils are ready when they fall apart under the pressure of a fork.

AFTER COOKING:

Drain after cooking.

SERVING SUGGESTION:

Red lentils are best suited for soups, sauces, and hearty stews. Green and brown lentils make a delicious addition to salads.

Enjoy your meal!