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Red split lentils are fast cooking lentils that cook down into a creamy, hearty stew. Dried red lentils are actually orange in color, and are sometimes also labeled as Egyptian lentils. Read on to learn how to cook everyday red split lentils, red lentil curry, or dal, a traditional red lentil soup.
Ingredients
- 1 cup split red lentils
- 2 1/2 cups water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 1 large russet potato, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup red lentils
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup red lentils
- 3 cups water
- 3 plum tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons canola oil
- 1/2 cup white or yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons of Bengali five spice mix (panch phoron)
- 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt
Steps
Wash the dry lentils. Place the split red lentils into a sieve or fine-holed colander. Split red lentils are notorious for having debris in them, so be sure to clean well. Rinse under running water and pick out any obvious large pieces of debris.
Pour the washed red split lentils into a saucepan for cooking. Add the water to the pan.Advertisement
Bring the water to a boil.- Turn down when it reaches boiling point and simmer. Be sure to stir now and then to prevent sticking to the saucepan.
Remove the lentils from heat when they're finished. The red split lentils will be cooked in about 25 minutes. You'll know they're done by observation - they turn into a mush or thick puree.- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Use them in a dish that calls for lentils. Cooked split red lentils tend to be added to other dishes but can be eaten alone if you like them. Try them with the following ideas:- Use them to thicken soups and casseroles.
- Add them to vegetable or meat curries.
- Turn them into kofte.
Wash the lentils. Place them in a sieve and rinse thoroughly.- Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Place it over medium heat and let the oil completely heat up.[1]
- Add the ginger and garlic. Cook them for about two minutes, until they are soft.
- Add the curry powder.
- Add the potatoes and carrots. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes.
- Stir in the lentils, broth, salt and pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Stir the curry occasionally.- Cook the curry for 20 minutes. It's finished when the lentils and vegetables are tender.
Serve the curry. It's delicious with lime wedges, naan, and rice.
Wash the lentils. Place them in a sieve and run water through for a minute or two.[2]
Cook the lentils. Place them in a saucepan with 3 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook the lentils until they're tender, about 12 minutes.- Peel the tomatoes. Score their tops with an "x." Bring a separate pot of water to a boil, and drop the tomatoes into the boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove them. When they've cooled a bit, insert your fingers under the skin at the "x" and peel it off in strips.
Chop the peeled tomatoes.- Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Heat it over medium until the oil gets thoroughly hot.
- Cook the onions. Sauté them for about 5 minutes, until they are translucent.
Add the garlic. Keep cooking for another minute.- Stir in the Bengali five spice and turmeric.
- Pour in the cooked lentils. Pour them directly into the saucepan, water and all. Cook for another 10 minutes.
Stir in the tomatoes.
Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings.
Serve the soup with naan and lime wedges.
Expert Q&A
- QuestionAre there other seasonings you recommend for red lentils?
Jennifer LevasseurChef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College.
Personal ChefI recommend cooking them in a base like mirepoix (onion, carrot, and celery) and some chicken stock. This will create layered flavors and heartiness in red lentils. - QuestionWhat are the best seasonings for lentils?
How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerLentils can be flavored with many seasonings, so it’s worth trying your favorite ones first, to see how they work. For some ideas to guide you, you could try one or more of the following seasonings with lentils: Tomato purée, chili powder, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, garlic (fresh, granules or powdered), ginger (fresh or ground), cumin, oregano, curry powder, turmeric, bay leaf, ordinary or flavored salt, pepper, cream, yogurt, etc. You might also like to try cooking them in broth, stock or tomato purée instead of water. - QuestionDo I need to soak lentils before cooking them?How.com.vn Staff EditorThis answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
Staff AnswerHow.com.vn Staff EditorStaff AnswerLentils do not need soaking before cooking. However, they usually need to be rinsed to ensure they’re clean and free of small stones or other debris, depending on where you’ve sourced them from.
Tips
Expert Interview
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References
About This Article
To cook red split lentils, also known as Egyptian lentils, place the lentils into a sieve or colander and rinse them well, then pour them into a saucepan and add 2.5 cups of water. Bring the water to a boil, then turn it down to low heat and simmer the lentils, stirring occasionally, for about 25 minutes or until they turn into a thick puree. Season with salt and pepper and serve. Keep reading to learn how to make red lentil curry!
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