when you consider the nutritional superiority of lentils, you
might want to serve them instead of pasta ....
These little disk-shaped legumes need no presoaking and are ready in 20
to 30 minutes--not too much longer than it takes to cook pasta. In fact,
compared with spaghetti, lentils supply much more folate (folic acid), which
fights heart disease and prevent birth defects; considerably more fiber
(about 25% of which is the soluble kind, which lowers cholesterol); and
more protein. Lentils make a fine side dish and an excellent basis for salads
and hearty soups.
Varieties
Lentils come in many colours. Brown and green lentils are best for stews
and salads and other dishes where texture is required. Red lentils cook
quicker and work best in purees and other dishes where softness is an advantage
or soups / casseroles / curries which need thickening.
Availability
Lentils are sold dried and can be found year round in the grocery store.
They are also sold in cans but these are very inferior to the dried version.
Storage
Dried lentils should be stored in a in a tightly closed container at cool
room temperature; if left exposed to air, they will dry out, and will take
longer to cook.
Lentils should keep for up to a year, but since you don't know how long
they've been on the supermarket shelf, plan to use them within six months.
Do not mix a new supply of lentils with older ones; the older lentils will
be somewhat dryer, so they will take longer to cook. Store any leftover
cooked lentils in covered containers in the refrigerator, where they will
keep for three to four days.
Preparation
There's no need to presoak lentils. After rinsing, simply cook them in
water or stock --with herbs, onions, or garlic added, if you wish--until
tender.
Use about 1 1/2 cups of liquid per cup of lentils, and cook 15 minutes for
red lentils and 20 to 25 minutes for green or brown ones.
Adjust the cooking time according to the final use you have planned: For
salads, remove the lentils from the heat while they are tender but still
firm; for soups and purees, cook them until they are very soft.
Other
Lentils can be sprouted for use in salads.
