Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Versatile Bean

Lentils are the most versatile of all beans and the ones that require the least amount of cooking time. The have been part of the human diet for over 13,000 years {yes... thousands!} and come in different colors ranging from yellow and orange to green and black or brown.


Charged with over 30% of its weight with proteins, lentils are one of the most inexpensive source of protein which is largely used in countries with mainly vegetarian populations. Additionally, they contain large amounts of amino acids, dietary fiber, vitamin B1 and iron.


You can find them is most super markets in all their varieties. To cook them first rinse them to get rid of any dirt and discard any one that looks somewhat damaged. In my experience, I've always used a ratio of 1 portion of lentils to 2.5 portions of water. Let the water come to a boil, lower the heat to low and cook between 20 and 30 minutes or until soft.


Finally, they are great in salads, soups, stews and even baked goods. They are great to include in any meal because they can adsorb many flavors and seasonings.



Have a great day and enjoy of a tasty meal!

44 comments:

  1. This is looks delicious. I think I need to use more lentils in my meals. They look like they could be used in all sorts of meals.

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  2. I am a fairly new convert to them and mostly tried them when I became a vegetarian a few years ago. I like them in restaurants. I have not been able to prepare them as well as I would like, going to give these recipes a try - thanks!

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  3. I need to use more lentils, but have been experimenting with chickpeas just today. Mmm, I'll start looking up lentil recipes stat.

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  4. Yum, I love lentils. I was just at a cooking class when they asked what we would like more recipes for that we feel are pantry staples. my immediate reply? lentils! :)

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  5. Oh yum! AND they are good for you! Score!

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  6. I love lentils! I make the best lentil soup- tasty, fast, and way healthy. And lentils in Indian food is my favorite!

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  7. My girlfriend is visiting Paris and I took her to my favourite chick restaurant for lunch and you guessed it...........lentil salad on the menu so healthy and delicious. Great food photos, Carla

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  8. i love lentils! they are so incredibly tasty and healthy ~ my mom just made a hearty soup w. these babies! have a fab tuesday!!
    xo ~ kristina

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  9. Oh my goodness, this looks so yummy!
    I absolutely love lentils.

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  10. Mmm I will definitely be cooking lentils in the near future. Thanks for making it sound so easy Elie!
    xo Mary Jo

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  11. This looks so yummi!!!!Great pics - great post!!!
    Best Regards
    Miss Margaret Cruzemark
    http://margaretcruzemark.blogspot.com/

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  12. I love lentils, they are without a doubt my favorite legume, bar none!
    In Italy we always eat them at New Year's, they are thought to bring in money ;-) My grandma made them with lots of garlic, and they were so creamy and delicious! I on the other hand make a very good lentil soup.

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  13. I had no idea my favorite lentil was such a super food!

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  14. yum! just had a lentil slow cooked soup at my friends house the other night.

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  15. Love Lentils. I need to cook them more.

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  16. Me encantan las ensaladas con legumbres. Hay una receta estupenda con lentejas, queso, nueces, rúcula y se adereza con una mezcla de miel y mostaza dulce que está para chuparse los dedos...
    la tuya tiene una pinta estupenda.

    Saludos,

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  17. I love lentils!!! We use to eat them on new year's eve!!

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  18. I love lentils but I must admit since being back in Australia we haven't really had a lot of them in our diet - time to fix that! Thanks for the motivation :)

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  19. i absolutely love your blog. thanks so much for finding me. following you :)

    www.yolathorp.com

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  20. yum! i was just thinking about how delicious it would be to make some lentil soup. it's soooo delicious and good for you!

    spinning-threads.blogspot.com

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  21. Yum! I have these in a lot of my foods here on the campus of my school to get healthy protein!

    <3Chelsea Elizabeth
    http://www.organizedxxmess.blogspot.com

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  22. I love anything that does not require the use of a range...I think I can make this!

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  23. yummm! lentils are so delicious, especially in soups!

    http://www.thelateafternoon.com

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  24. Love lentils, they are so delicious and so good for you!

    GTBB,
    http://badjoan.blogspot.com
    http://cookingjoan.blogspot.com

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  25. Looks very yummie, I will have to give it a try, especially as it looks like excellent winter food!

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  26. I'm actually not a fan of lentils...something about their texture, haha
    http://www.closet-fashionista.com/

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  27. Great! Love easy cooking. xoxo
    http://hellofridaybypaik.blogspot.com/

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  28. I loooove lentis.. looks so yummy
    lee

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  29. i like beans! have you tried "edamames"? they're Japanese! would love to try this recipe :)

    kisses,
    teresa
    www.trend-ish.com

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  30. Mmmm...these recipes look divine! :)

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  31. My mum loves lentils. I still don't eat them that much.

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  32. I've never given too much thought to lentils! I will consider adding them to recipes and possibly using them when a recipe calls for beans (or use 1/2 beans and 1/2 lentils).
    Thank you for stopping by my blog!
    Have a fabulous day!
    Julie

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  33. I have no idea how to cook with these so thanks for this! Also thanks for commenting my blog!

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  34. Mmmm love lentils, just made this fabulous minestrone soup with lentils the other day... even my little ones where eating it:)

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  35. I love lentils but haven't been making them much... this is a perfect reminder to start up again.... Yummy and healthy!

    XOXO

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  36. I love lentils! Especially lentil soup...

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  37. Lentils are one of my favorite beans to cook with!

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  38. I love lentil soup and I love any post about food! Stop by my blog, I am featuring Thanksgiving recipes all week!

    xoxo

    http://foodfashionandflow.blogspot.com/

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  39. My new favorite salad is a bed of arugula with lentils, tomatoes, avocado and onion on top... nomnom!

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  40. This is good to know about lentils. I know I should eat them more often but I'm still trying to get used to its particular flavour.

    xo

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