Lentils - what is it? Delicious lentil dishes. Lentils: simple cooking recipes

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Lentils - what is it? You will receive the answer to this question from the materials of this article. We will also tell you about what is remarkable about this product and how it is used in cooking.

Product/Plant Overview

Lentils - what is it? It is a herbaceous plant belonging to the legume family.

This is one of the oldest agricultural crops. It is widely cultivated not only as a food plant, but also as a fodder plant. Occasionally it can be found as a weed.

Distribution in the world

Lentils - what is it and where is it common? This plant is native to Western Asia and Southern Europe. It has been cultivated in these places since the Neolithic period. The mention of the culture in question is found in the Old Testament, and its remains were found on the territory of prehistoric Switzerland and in the Egyptian pyramids.

In the wild, this plant grows in Central and Asia Minor, as well as in South-Eastern Europe.

Today, the largest areas of lentil cultivation are located in India, Turkey, Canada, Iran and Nepal. As for Central Europe, it is bred there in small quantities.

Using the product/plant in practice

Lentils - what is it and how is this culture used in practice? For many peoples of Asia, the fruits of this plant are the most important source of protein, which, due to its nutritional properties, can replace bread, cereals and even meat products.

The process of growing this crop is the same as that of peas. However, it should be noted that such a plant is more thermophilic. It quickly suffers from frosts, but endures dry seasons much more easily.

Delicious lentil dishes, or rather, from its fruits, are very popular not only in our country, but also in other countries. Side dishes are made from such a product, soups are cooked, salads and even cutlets are prepared. It is especially popular among vegetarians.

It should also be noted that since ancient times, lentils have been valued as a very effective medicinal plant. It was used to treat nervous disorders and stomach ailments. Healers used an infusion of lentils for smallpox. As for the liquid decoction, it helped well to cope with constipation. Also, this remedy was actively used in diseases of the liver and kidney stones.

Product composition

Lentil puree, as well as other dishes, are not very high in calories and at the same time very satisfying. What is it connected with? The fact is that such a product contains a huge amount of nutrients. Let's list them right now: proteins, tryptophan, carbohydrates, vitamin B12, fiber, calcium, vitamin B6, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, iron,fats, beta-carotene, vitamin B2, niacin, vitamin B1.

How is lentil used in cooking? Easy Recipes

To prepare the product in question, you will not need much time. Moreover, from it you can make a very satisfying and tasty dish that will impress any member of your family.

Let's take a look at how lentil puree is made together. For such a side dish, we need the following components:

• green or red lentils (your choice) - 1 full glass;
• fresh and juicy carrots - 1 medium;
• olive oil (can be taken with a characteristic aroma) - 1 large spoon;
• hard processed cheese - 20 g;
• thyme - use as you like;
• ground black pepper - use to your liking;
• sea s alt - add at your discretion.

Main product preparation process

How to prepare delicious lentils? A puree recipe can include both green and red beans. It should be especially noted that such an ingredient is prepared in exactly the same way as regular peas.

Lentils are sorted, cleaned of delicate elements, and then put in a sieve and washed strongly, first in hot and then in cold water.

As soon as all the dirt is gone from the product, it is placed in a deep bowl. Bay lentils with plain water, it is left in this form for 12 hours. This is necessary so that it swells well. Only in this case you will receive gentle anddelicious puree.

Slab heat treatment process

After the lentils are infused in water and swell, start cooking them. To do this, the product is laid out in a saucepan, and then poured with water. The liquid should cover the lentils by 2-3 cm. Slices of fresh carrots, thyme and a little s alt are also added to it. In this composition, the ingredients are brought to a boil and boiled for about half an hour (or longer). During this time, the lentils and carrot pieces should be fully cooked.

The final stage in cooking

After the described actions, all excess liquid is removed from the pan (if it has not evaporated), and then cooled a little. Next, an immersion blender is introduced into the dishes. Thanks to simple manipulations, the finished bean product should be completely crushed, forming a homogeneous and very tasty puree.

After tasting the dish, it is additionally peppered and s alted (if necessary). Next, a little olive oil and finely grated cheese are added to it.

Serving a dish for dinner

Serve lentil puree to the table preferably hot. Poultry meat, beef goulash or any sausages are ideal for such a side dish. You can also serve cutlets or fried fish with mashed potatoes.

Cooking Lentil Salad

Lentils with chicken is an excellent combination that is used not only in the preparation of second and first courses, but also to create a light salad. To make it at homebean product is recommended to pre-sprout. How exactly to do this, we will tell further.

So, to make a salad with lentils, we need:

• fresh chicken fillet - 400 g;
• flavored croutons - 50 g;
• lettuce leaves - 20 g;
• sprouted lentils – 30 g;
• lemon juice - 2 small spoons;
• olive oil, s alt - to your taste.

Sprouting the bean product

Lentils with chicken in the form of a salad is prepared very easily. But this takes a long time.

To germinate a bean product, it is washed well in hot water, and then laid out in a not very deep plate. Then it is poured with a small amount of water (so as not to cover up). In this form, the lentils are left at room temperature for 2 or 3 days. After a while, it should become as soft as possible and sprout. It is in this form that the product should be used to create a salad.

Processing the main components

To prepare the snack in question, fresh chicken fillet is boiled in s alt water. Then it is cooled and chopped into cubes. They also wash lettuce leaves separately and tear them with their hands in a chaotic way.

Shaping process and serving

Having processed all the components, the chicken fillet is laid out in a deep bowl, where torn lettuce leaves, sprouted lentils and fragrant crackers are added. After mixing the ingredients, they are sprinkled with lemon juice and seasoned with natural olive oil.

Shouldespecially note that it is necessary to form such a salad only before serving it to invited guests. This is done so that the croutons that are part of the snack do not get wet and spoil the whole dish.

If you want to get a more high-calorie dish, then you can fill it not with olive or any other vegetable oil, but with sour cream or, for example, mayonnaise. However, in this case, the benefits of such a snack will be minimal.