How to deliciously and correctly prepare lentils for a side dish or puree? How to cook delicious lentil porridge in a slow cooker: recipe

Lentils have been used in preparing various dishes for several thousand years. This is the most ancient type of legume, which is especially valued by people who adhere to vegetarianism, because lentils contain a huge amount of vitamins and mineral complexes, as well as vegetable protein, which makes it possible to replace meat with this product.

Among other things, lentils have a unique ability to repel harmful substances and toxins that may be contained in the surrounding atmosphere or soil.

That is why lentils are called an environmentally friendly product. The main thing is to learn how to deliciously cook lentils as a side dish. It is used as a side dish for main dishes or the prepared product is used as a basis for further processing, such as forming and frying cutlets.

Soaking lentils is an important cooking step.

Soaking Lentils

Lentils are a rather capricious product and difficult to prepare. Therefore, you need to take care in advance of the main stages of preparation in order to prepare a tasty dish and make it safe for the body. Otherwise, without proper preparation, a person will experience increased gas formation and bloating, which, in turn, will lead to disturbances in the normal functioning of the stomach and intestines.

To avoid unwanted reactions for the body, it is necessary to soak the lentils in cool water, without adding anything, for several hours or a day. The soaking period is determined individually; it is directly related to the types of cereals and the time of harvesting lentils.

The best option is to soak the lentils overnight the night before you cook dinner using lentils. In the morning, you can drain the liquid and rinse the product thoroughly, washing off the foam.

During the allotted period, the lentils will become saturated with moisture and swell, almost doubling in size. After this, you can cook the legumes over low heat, adding water so that it covers the top of the product by a couple of centimeters. During the cooking process, experts recommend adding a certain amount of spices and herbs, such as bay leaves and olive oil.

After boiling the lentils, you can begin to study original recipes that can help you prepare a delicious side dish for the main dish. No less popular are lentil puree soups, which are great as a first course at lunchtime.

Features of cooking red, black, green and yellow lentils

If you want delicious lentil porridge, then it is best to buy green or brown lentils. Then it will not boil and will turn out in the form of grains. The red or orange variety is perfect for soups and stews.

When preparing a dish from red lentils, some advise adding salt and spices at the beginning, and not at the end, as is usually done with other varieties. The best seasonings are red pepper, curry, cumin.

Black lentils are ideal for salads with the addition of pepper, oil and hot spices.

Do not mix different varieties with each other, as the cooking time and result are different.

Popular recipe

Green lentils are ideal for preparing side dishes for the main dish, as they do not boil over and do not form a puree. In addition, it helps fight bad mood, loss of strength and depression. This effect is achieved thanks to the rich composition of the product; it saturates a person with the hormone of joy, which helps improve mood and performance.

It’s not difficult to prepare a tasty side dish for the main dish; the main thing is to prepare properly for this process and do everything according to the given recipe. Don’t forget to thoroughly soak the legumes immediately before cooking.

The following products are necessary for the side dish preparation process:

• lentils – 250-300 gr.;
• onions – 2 pcs.;
• clove of garlic – 2 pcs.;
• greens to taste;
• a handful of nuts;
• Bay leaf;
• carnation;
• mustard – 10 ml.

You will also need oil and vinegar for dressing, spices and salt according to your own taste preferences. Place an onion, green lentils, a clove stick and whole bay leaves into the prepared pan. It is important to prepare the dish without cutting the onion into pieces, leaving it whole . Cooking will take about 35 minutes.

After half an hour, the cooking is stopped, turning off the heat, and the dish is left to simmer under the lid. A raw onion bulb is finely chopped with a knife along with garlic cloves and herbs.

Garnish sauce

Then you need to prepare the sauce. To do this, take mustard, vinegar and oil, mix them together and add spices and garlic, mix thoroughly. The cooled lentils are mixed with the remaining ingredients. The dish is seasoned with the prepared sauce and kneaded thoroughly. It is very tasty and everyone at home will definitely like it.

What do you eat lentils with?

So, if you have prepared lentils for a side dish and don’t know what to serve them with, then we have several tried and true options:

• with baked or boiled vegetables. It can even be any frozen vegetable mixture that you have prepared in a dietary way. Lentils go well with all vegetables.
• with fresh salad. Don't forget to include as many fresh vegetables in your diet as possible. Add more greens to your salads, season them with a little vegetable oil and eat them with lentil puree or porridge.
• with lean meat. Baked chicken, turkey or boiled veal or beef are ideal.
• with vegetable cutlets. Ideal pp option for weight loss. Steamed lentil cutlets are a great lunch!
• add lentils to soup and you have the perfect potato replacement for pp. By the way, you can even safely include lentil soup with chicken fillet in your evening diet.
• Lentils are a good ingredient for pp salad! A few spoons of boiled lentils - and you will have an excellent dinner.

Multicooker capabilities

Vegetable stew with lentils

A multicooker is a modern analogue of a real country oven, which produces the most attractive and healthy dishes. The principle of operation is that all prepared products are placed in a pot in advance, after which the container is placed in the oven and stewed for a certain amount of time.

A wonderful dish that always turns out very tasty in a slow cooker is a kind of stew made from vegetables, lentils and mushrooms. Champignons or oyster mushrooms are popular; they cook faster and add a wonderful taste to the finished dish. Everyone at home will definitely like this dish.

The first thing to do is cut the mushrooms into thin plastic pieces and chop the onion very well. Any multicooker has a “frying” mode, you need to turn it on, heat a little vegetable oil in a bowl and add vegetables and mushrooms there, fry a little until golden brown.

Then washed lentils are added to the fried vegetables, poured with boiled water. Everything is salted and mixed thoroughly. All that remains is to switch the “cereals” mode and cook like ordinary porridge for a quarter of an hour. During this time, you can go about your business or set the table beautifully so that it is not only tasty, but also aesthetically pleasing.

After the time has passed, you need to turn off the device and let the resulting dish brew a little. Afterwards, you can feed this wonderful treat to your family and friends. Red lentils are not overcooked and very tasty.

This dish is perfect for believers who fast or are on a diet, as well as for athletes who are forced to eat exclusively healthy and nutritious foods.

The recipe allows you to eat deliciously without spending a lot of time.

How to properly cook green lentils in a slow cooker so that it’s delicious?

They say that the green variety is the healthiest because it contains the most B vitamins. I don’t know if this is true, but if such lentils are cooked correctly, they turn out amazingly tasty.

Take:

• Green lentils
• Large onion
• Vegetable oil
• Salt

Cooking method in stages:

In a multicooker bowl, fry the onion for 5-7 minutes on the FRY or BAKING mode.

Pour out the lentils and add water in a ratio of 1:3, that is, for every glass of lentils, three glasses of liquid. We set the BEANS, PORRIDGE or BUCKWHEAT mode depending on the model of your multicooker. Bon appetit!

Recipes for maintaining your diet

Lentils are considered an excellent dietary product; they help saturate the body well without loading it with extra calories.

There are three types of lentils:

Red lentils (the cooking speed is high, ideal for making pureed soups, as they tend to boil too much);

Green (unripened brown lentils, which take a long time to cook and do not become soft);

Brown (ripened grain, cooks quickly and boils heavily, also used for making soups).

Any vegetables are suitable for a dietary treat; experts recommend using carrots, bell peppers, garlic, onions and tomatoes with red lentils. This combination is very original and makes it possible to enjoy a deliciously prepared lunch. For frying you will need vegetable oil, and for seasoning you will need apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.

First, prepare tomato paste from whole tomatoes, removing their skins. You can use ready-made pasta by heating it and adding spices such as oregano, basil, garlic, and salt and pepper the mixture. Then pieces of ginger and a finely chopped onion go into frying; after a couple of minutes, carrots, chopped into small strips or cubes, are sent to them.

Pour the tomato mixture over the dish and let it simmer in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then pre-boiled lentils and chopped greens are sent to the cauldron. All that remains is to simmer the side dish for another 5 minutes and turn off the heat. The dish should simmer a little under the lid and cool a little. When serving, decorate the plate with lentils with fresh herbs.

Lentil side dish in creamy tomato sauce

It will take 35 minutes to prepare.

How many calories - 127.

How to cook:

1. Boil beans according to package instructions. They must first be sorted out.
2. Chop the shallot into thin rings. You also need to chop the garlic.
3. Mix both types of oil in a frying pan and heat, then add the shallots with garlic and fry a little.
4. Peel the ginger and finely grate it or blend it with a blender.
5. Add tomato puree and ginger to the sautéed onions, stir and let it boil.
6. After this, place the prepared beans here and season.
7. Pour in the whipped cream and stir.
8. Let it boil, then add all the finely chopped greens.
9. Stir and immediately remove from heat and place on plates. Can be served as a separate dish.

Lentils with added smoked meats

Lentils with smoked pork ribs

Tasting like a stew, lentils with smoked meats are always tasty, healthy and very nutritious. Pets will compete to get extra for lunch. Healthy food has a high content of microelements and vitamin complexes.

Legumes go very well with various smoked meats, so experienced housewives often use smoked sausage with lentils. In this recipe, bell peppers and spicy spices in the form of paprika and different types of pepper are added to lentils, tomatoes, onions and carrots.

The onion, garlic, bell pepper and carrots are washed and chopped with a knife. Peel the tomato and also chop it. Vegetables are put into the bowl one by one, into pre-heated oil. At the end of the process, thoroughly washed lentils are added and the required amount of liquid is added.

Smoked meats are added to give a special aroma at the very end of cooking. They will saturate the lentils with a special aroma and add piquancy to the dish. After completing the culinary process and serving, you need to sprinkle the lentils with fresh herbs.

How to deliciously and easily cook lentils as a side dish

Healthy and satisfying lentils cook quite quickly. It is ideal as a side dish in both summer and winter. Warming, nutritious, incredibly tasty and versatile! These beans go well with vegetables, which is why vegetarians love them. But they can be served with both fish and meat.

1. Sort through, rinse the beans, let them drain, and then transfer to a saucepan.

2. Pour the specified amount of water and put on fire.
3. Let it boil. Cook after this for at least twenty minutes if the lentils are brown. If it is a green product, it will take forty minutes, and if it is red, half an hour will be enough.
4. Five minutes before it’s ready, add salt.

5. Serve with chopped herbs.

Legumes supplemented with carrots and onions

Lentils with onions and carrots

For a family dinner when you don't want to work too hard on preparing the dishes, you can cook a delicious lentil soup or prepare a stew of vegetables and grains. This is a tasty dish, nutritious and rich in protein that everyone at home will love.

To prepare you will need:

• green lentils – 400 gr.;
• onion – 1 pc.;
• medium-sized carrots – 1 pc.;
• garlic clove;
• olive oil;
• salt, pepper to taste.

To begin with, chopped vegetables are stewed in a saucepan and only after some time, when they become soft, properly prepared lentils are added. Then the mixture of vegetables and cereals is poured with hot water and boiled for 40-60 minutes. You can add spices, salt and pepper at the end of the culinary process, mix thoroughly and let the dish brew.

This treat is very tasty and will appeal to all family and friends. In addition, it is rich in useful microelements, vitamins and other substances important for the normal functioning of the body. The high content of vegetable protein ensures long-lasting satiety.

Green lentils: benefits and harms of the product

Green lentils (of course, within acceptable limits) can be boiled and eaten regularly, this will help:

• feel full for a long time;
• lose extra pounds (the product is completely absorbed and is not deposited in problem areas);
• include in various diets for weight loss;
• strengthen intestinal peristalsis;
• remove toxins and radionuclides;
• strengthen the muscular system;
• normalize blood glucose levels;
• reduce low-density lipoprotein levels;
• improve mood;
• prevent nervous disorders;
• alleviate the manifestations of urolithiasis;
• cure colitis and stomach ulcers;
• improve liver function;
• cope with pyelonephritis;
• provide assistance in the treatment of tuberculosis and lungs;
• have a beneficial effect on the healing of muscle and bone injuries;
• cope with atherosclerosis and lower blood pressure;
• increase immunity;
• promote proper intrauterine development of the fetus in pregnant women;
• It is easier for women to endure menopause (thanks to phytoestrogens).

Lentils with meat additive

Lentils with beef and vegetables

Legumes go well with various types of meat, but the most original and harmonious tandem with chicken meat will be. To prepare such a stew, you need to use green lentils so that they do not boil and turn into puree.

The set of products necessary for preparing meat stew with lentils will probably be found in any thrifty housewife’s kitchen. Onions, carrots and chicken fillet, as well as spices to taste and garlic, are at the disposal of every self-respecting housewife.

Boiling lentils

The soaked grains of lentils need to be boiled for 40-60 minutes, poured with hot water. During this time, the bean culture will saturate the broth with aromas and rich taste, making it pleasant to the taste. In a separate container at this moment you need to fry the chopped onion and grated garlic until golden brown.

Chicken fillet is also cut into small pieces, mixed with spices and placed in a frying pan with vegetables. Pour the boiled lentils into a frying pan, mix thoroughly and simmer for a few more minutes. Then the dish is allowed to brew, turning off the heat.

Dishes with added meat are self-sufficient and can be used as an independent dish for an evening dinner. This product is very nutritious and saturates the body for a long time, while the body is not overloaded with extra calories, receiving a huge charge of vitamins and minerals.

How to cook red lentils with onions

It will take 45 minutes to prepare.

How many calories – 216.

1. Clean the beans and then rinse them.
2. Boil water in a small saucepan and add the beans. There must be twice as much water.
3. Cook over low heat, covered, for about twenty minutes.
4. At this time, you need to grate the peeled carrots, using a coarse grater.
5. Finely chop the garlic and onion without peeling.
6. Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the vegetables. To get a more tender dish, you should use a ceramic frying pan.
7. Fry until soft for four minutes and then stir in the spices and tomato paste.
8. Stir the prepared beans into the soft vegetables, add the garlic. You can add a little water.
9. Simmer covered for another five minutes.
10. Let it sit for fifteen minutes before serving.

Recipe for a side dish of lentils with the addition of rice and mushrooms

Fans of lean food who do not accept heavy dishes containing harmful ingredients will definitely appreciate a unique stew made from lentils, rice and mushrooms. If the dish is intended for a festive table or guests are planning to arrive in the near future, you need to fry all the ingredients in different containers separately. This will allow you to achieve a unique golden shine and make the product very beautiful.

If you need to quickly prepare a regular family dinner, you can do it in one container by combining all the ingredients together. You will need a small amount of lentils, about 70 grams, two onions, 1 cup long grain rice, 400 grams. mushrooms, one medium-sized carrot and spices to taste. Vegetable oil is required for frying, and hot boiled water for extinguishing.

It is correct to use green lentils in order to avoid boiling in mashed potatoes. It is washed thoroughly and boiled for 40 minutes. The rice will have to be soaked to remove the starch, and the mushrooms will have to be washed and peeled.

You need to fry the onions, pre-cut very finely, until golden brown, then chop the mushrooms into thin slices and also sauté. Onions are added to the mushrooms and lightly fried together in one pan.

Thin carrot strips are fried in oil with chopped onions. When frying, it is recommended to add curry and turmeric, they add excellent taste to rice dishes. Add the rice to the fried vegetables and mix well, add salt and pepper according to your own taste.

Mushrooms with fried onions

Then lentils and fried onions with mushrooms are combined in a container. Once again you need to salt and pepper the dish, add lentil broth and garlic in any form. All that remains is to boil the dish under a closed lid for 15 minutes and let it brew.

When serving, it is recommended to decorate the product with fresh herbs and enjoy delicious food. There are quite a few recipes using lentils, all of them are relatively easy to prepare and have a small number of products that are commercially available and available in every home.

Lentil grains can be used to make delicious and nutritious everyday side dishes, as well as pureed soups for the whole family. They perfectly saturate, tone and nourish the body with useful substances.

How to cook soup from plated food lentils?

Plate lentils are a variety of legumes with large seeds. It takes quite a long time to cook, but it’s just perfect for soup. You will especially enjoy this healthy, warming dish in the winter or off-season.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plated food lentils
• 2 medium carrots
• 1 onion
• 3-4 cloves of garlic
• 1 small piece of ginger
• a handful of cherry tomatoes
• small bunch of cilantro
• 1 teaspoon (heaped) curry
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• pinch of chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander (to taste)
• salt to taste

Cooking method in stages:

Chop the onions and carrots for the soup, chop the garlic.

Finely chop the ginger and simply cut the cherry tomatoes in half.

Wash the lentils thoroughly, put them in a saucepan, add water and bring to a boil.

After boiling, add all the vegetables except cherry tomatoes to the lentils. Stir and cook for another 10 minutes.

Add spices and tomatoes, cook over medium heat for another 3-5 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat, add cilantro to the lentil soup and stir. Bon appetit!

Do you often cook lentils as a side dish or do you prefer cereals? Did you like these recipes? If yes, be sure to share the article with your friends on social networks and, of course, write your comments. See you again on the blog!

Benefits of lentils for the body

The first thing to note is the positive effect of lentils on the human body. Lentils can help with digestion. In addition, its main positive quality is the prevention of intestinal cancer. The product has a positive effect on the human stomach.

Lentils are also a source of many amino acids. Due to this, serotonin is produced in the body. And if you go deeper, you can find out that this affects the nervous system. And this has a positive effect, because the nerve cells only become stronger from this process.

It should also be noted that lentils can even affect human blood. Or rather, on the cholesterol that is in it. And this is far from the only case where lentils affect the blood. It can also increase hemoglobin, as well as normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system. By using this product, you may notice the fact that your blood pressure will not fluctuate as it might have before.

This product also helps with weight loss. It has already been said above that it is great for people who are “on a diet.” If we are talking about losing weight, then lentils can safely be considered a rich source of protein. In addition, the product allows you to get enough satiety that it eliminates the desire to eat for a long time. The product does not contain fats, which is also an important advantage.

Also, one of the main “abilities” of lentils is not to absorb nitrate. Unfortunately, many producers use this element in the fields so that they can grow food. However, this is not the case with lentils. This is a pure product in every sense, which is recommended not only for adults, but also for children and the elderly.

In the spring, it often happens that the body is severely lacking in vitamins. And lentils contain a lot of these vitamins. Their variety is very large. Different groups of vitamins, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and more. All this is part of lentils.

An important component in lentils, called isoflavone, can fight cancer cells. And this is really true, because you can eat lentils in any form to avoid cancer. A malignant tumor can occur at any time. Therefore, consuming such a product reduces the likelihood.

What about diabetics? The product will suit them too. Due to the low percentage of sugar in this product, lentils are recommended by many nutritionists and doctors. Diabetics are not afraid of this product, and it can be used to easily maintain blood sugar levels without fear of sudden changes.

What are green lentils?

For a long time, this food product was unavailable in Slavic countries. Today, many, not knowing the capabilities of the especially large lentil variety - green, avoid lentils, being afraid to cook something from them. This primary attitude can, on the one hand, be called correct. After all, it was customary to give lentils to gladiators and only the poor population included them in their diet.

But they learned to grow green beans only in European France (that’s why they get their name - French). The first lentil grains arrived here from the Mediterranean. Growing lentils is quite a painstaking job. Despite the fact that August is considered the main harvest period, when determining the correct harvest time, the following are taken into account:

• degree of hardness;
• grain size (it reaches 5-7 mm in diameter).

In appearance, green lentils, like its other varieties, resemble flattened flat beans, very similar to optical lenses.

Today there are more than 120 types of legumes called lentils. True, all this diversity is limited to a few categories known in cooking.

These include lentils:

• black (it is additionally called “beluga”; it is considered the most valuable and expensive; the fact is that the pigment that gives the black color has a high antioxidant level, which makes it possible to slow down the aging process and prevent the occurrence of oncology and cardiovascular diseases);
• red (most often it is known as “Egyptian”; characterized by a high content of iron and potassium; indicated for use for anemia, anemia, decreased memory and concentration);
• green (called “French” and refers to the healing lentil species; all the healing power lies in the presence of plant fiber, which helps with digestive disorders and intestinal disorders; in addition, it actively fights depressive conditions, promoting the synthesis of serotonin);
• yellow (these are polished green lentils that do not have a shell);
• brown (most in demand in cooking, and its uniqueness lies in the presence of all the beneficial qualities that other lentil varieties have).

Both true green and peeled yellow lentils are defined by the following composition:

• cellulose;
• fats;
• protein fractions (vegetable);
• carbohydrates;
• phytoestrogens;
• unsaturated fatty acids;
• the important amino acid tryptophan;
• B vitamins (riboflavin, thiamine, pyridoxine, niacin, folic acid);
• retinol, or vitamin A (small amount);
• macro- and microelements such as iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, boron, fluorine and nickel.

Green lentils - the calorie content of the dry product is at least 300 kilocalories, but when boiled it has only 100-120 kilocalories. The level of the glycemic index, which is only 29 units, is also important here. The percentage of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is 16/17/67%.

Lentil porridge as a side dish

• yellow lentils – 0.2 kg;
• water – 0.4 l;
• salt - to taste;
• bay leaf – 1 pc.;
• garlic – 1 clove;
• fresh herbs (optional) - to taste.

• Prepare the lentils by rinsing and soaking for a few hours if desired.
• Place the lentils in a saucepan with thick walls and bottom, cover with water. In this case, you will need a little more water than normal, since the goal is to boil the beans more thoroughly.
• Place the pan on the fire. When the water boils, skim off the foam, then add salt, garlic and bay leaf.
• Cook the lentils for 30 minutes over low heat, covered.
• Remove garlic and bay leaf.
• Mash the lentils a little with a masher.

When serving, sprinkle the lentil porridge with finely chopped fresh herbs. This aromatic side dish will be a great addition to chicken, beef, and pork.

With mushrooms

The side dish of red lentils turns out very tasty with the addition of mushrooms. The easiest way is to use fresh champignons for the dish. They do not require lengthy preliminary preparation. If you wish, you don’t even have to peel the mushrooms. You just need to lightly wipe them with a damp sponge.

Side dish of red lentils with mushrooms, recipe.

Combining mushrooms and lentils results in a light yet nutritious lunch dish. It can be served even during fasting. But if desired, it is possible to supplement the side dish with meat in any form - fried, boiled, baked. Chops with a crispy golden brown crust will fit well into the treat.

Composition of ingredients

For the dish you need to take:

• lentils – 1 tbsp.;
• champignons – 230-250 g;
• onion, clove of garlic and carrots - 1 pc.;
• oil, salt, pepper, fresh herbs.

The number of mushrooms in the recipe can be increased. These can be either fresh or frozen champignons. The second version of the product will first need to be defrosted. Any fresh greens will do for this recipe. For example, a mixture of dill and parsley. Cilantro fits well into the recipe. For frying, approximately 1.5-2 tbsp will be enough. l. vegetable fat. The result will be 3 servings of treats.

Step-by-step cooking process

The cooking process includes several stages:

1. To begin with, the lentils will be thoroughly washed. It is advisable to do this under running cold water. As a result, a completely transparent liquid should drain.
2. Already washed legumes should be filled with filtered water. 2 tbsp will be enough. Immediately add a small pinch of salt.
3. The pan with lentils and water will go on the stove. Cook the side dish base over low heat for about half an hour. But first you need to wait for the mass to boil and remove any foam that appears from the surface of the liquid. It is convenient to do this with a slotted spoon with small holes. During the process, it is important to ensure that the lentils do not overcook. It should turn out soft without turning into porridge.
4. While the base of the side dish – legumes – is being prepared, it’s time to start working on the vegetables. At this stage, you will need to remove the skins from the onion and garlic, and then chop the components. For example, you can simply finely chop the components with a sharp knife. The end result should be tiny cubes.
5. The onions and garlic will then be poured into a frying pan with a small amount of vegetable fat. When the oil is already well heated, you should fry the ingredients in it until the onions are soft, translucent and lightly golden brown. At the same time, the garlic should begin to emit a bright, appetizing aroma.

6. You will need to peel the carrots, after which you will need to process the washed vegetable with a grater with large divisions. The resulting shavings must be sent to the already prepared onion. Together, the components should be fried for 4-5 minutes. Be sure to stir them constantly.
7. Champignons absorb liquid very quickly. To prevent them from becoming completely saturated with water, simply wipe the product with a damp sponge. If you wish, you can remove the outer skin from them with a sharp knife. All that remains is to chop the mushrooms into thin slices.
8. Prepared champignons should be poured into already fried vegetables. It’s worth cooking the ingredients together for 8-9 minutes. You need to wait until all the liquid has evaporated from the mushrooms. You can also lightly brown the champignons. The fire should be medium.
9. While the additives are being prepared, the lentils should already be completely cooked - softened, but at the same time retain their shape and not fall apart. If there is excess water left in the pan, you do not need to wait for it to be completely absorbed. This liquid needs to be drained.
10. In a large frying pan with high sides, it remains to combine the prepared mass of mushrooms and vegetables with legumes. After thorough mixing, add salt and pepper to the mixture. Chopped greens will also be added here. It is with it that the taste of the finished treat turns out brighter and more interesting.

Ground black pepper is not the only spice that fits well into the side dish under discussion. You can also use nutmeg or oregano instead.

How to serve a dish

A fully prepared side dish should be served warm or hot immediately. Do not prepare it in advance and leave it in the refrigerator for a long time. Warm lentils with vegetables and mushrooms will be laid out in portions and complemented with any sauces.

You can also add pieces of fresh rye bread to the dish. If you are preparing a lenten or vegetarian lunch, then the best addition to legumes will be a vegetable salad. For example, from cabbage, parsley and tomatoes, seasoned with butter sauce.

Delicious dietary recipe for cooking lentils

There are several types of lentils: red, green and brown. The red one cooks the fastest, about 20 minutes, but it also boils harder than the others, so it is better suited for making purees or soup.

Green is unripe brown. Therefore, it cooks longer than others and retains its shape better. You need to cook it for at least 1 hour; it is best used for salads or side dishes.

Brown is a fully ripened green, has a light nutty aroma, and cooks fairly quickly in 25 minutes. It's also boiling over.

To prepare we will need:

• Lentils – 1 cup
• Lime or lemon juice – 1/2 pcs.
• Ginger – 1 cm.
• Onions or leeks – 1 pc.
• Carrots – 2 pcs.
• Tomatoes – 4 pcs.
• Vegetable oil – 2 tbsp. spoons
• Salt, pepper, sugar – 1/2 teaspoon
• Garlic – 1 clove
• Greens, basil, oregano

Unfortunately, legumes can cause discomfort in the gastrointestinal tract, to avoid them, soak the lentils overnight in cold water, as described above, then they will be better absorbed by your body and will not cause gas formation.

1. Wash the grains several times and cook on fire for 20-30 minutes, depending on its variety. Cereals soaked overnight will cook faster.

2. Pour hot water over the tomatoes to remove the skin and grate them. You can use frozen or canned tomatoes, tomato juice or paste.

3. Add chopped garlic, lime juice, salt, sugar, oregano, and basil to the grated tomatoes or paste.

4. Chop the onion and ginger and fry in oil in a frying pan, stirring constantly. After 2 minutes, add the carrots, cut into thin strips, into the pan.

5. Pour a mixture of tomatoes and spices into the frying pan, pepper and simmer for 5-7 minutes over medium heat.

6. Add boiled lentils to the pan, add herbs, simmer for another 5 minutes.

7. Serve the finished dish with herbs. Bon appetit!

Delicious recipe with vegetables and smoked sausage

In this recipe we will cook lentils with vegetables. This is an excellent balanced dish: nutritious, high in vegetable protein, rich in vitamins and microelements. When combined with vegetables, dishes made from this legume are rich and light, similar to a vegetable stew.

Beans and smoked meats go very tasty. In this recipe we'll add some smoked sausage to the pan with some garnishes.

To prepare we will need:

• Lentils – 300 gr.
• Green pepper – 1 pc.
• Red pepper – 1 pc.
• Onions – 1 pc.
• Tomato – 1 pc.
• Carrots – 1 pc.
• Bay leaf – 1 pc.
• Paprika, pepper, salt - to taste
• Vegetable oil – 2 tbsp. spoons
• Garlic – 2 cloves
• Smoked sausage – 100 gr.

1. Chop onion, garlic, pepper, carrots with a knife.

2. Scald the tomato with hot water, remove the skin, and chop finely.

3. Pour vegetable oil into the pan and, one by one, with an interval of 2 minutes, add onions, carrots, pepper, tomato, and paprika. At the end, add the washed, soaked lentils.

4. Add hot water to the pan so that it covers the lentils by two fingers.

5. 5 minutes before readiness, add smoked sausage to the pan; it will add aroma and piquancy to the dish.

6. Before serving, sprinkle the finished dish with herbs. Bon appetit!

Cooking process

Lentils are a very healthy and filling product (you can learn more about them here), and they taste very different. I prefer red lentils, as they cook very quickly and have a mild flavor. Therefore, it seems to me that it is better to start getting acquainted with lentils with it. Well, if you already know and love lentils, then I hope you will be happy to add this delicious side dish to your recipe box!

To prepare a side dish of red lentils, we will prepare the necessary products. Spices can be changed to suit your taste.

First you need to chop the onion.

And grate the carrots.

Now fry the onion in a small amount of oil until golden brown.

Add grated carrots and chopped bell pepper to it and fry for another 2 minutes.

Pour in a glass of tomato liquid. I have these crushed tomatoes without salt, which I stored for the winter. Fresh crushed tomatoes, from which you must first remove the skin, are also suitable. Let the vegetables simmer for about 2-3 minutes.

Then add the washed lentils and two glasses of water. Stir the contents of the frying pan, cover with a lid and simmer the lentils with vegetables under the lid for about 5-10 minutes. Stir the lentil-vegetable mixture periodically to prevent it from burning. If necessary, you can add water.

When the lentils are soft, but not yet boiled into porridge, add salt, pepper, turmeric and smoked paprika to taste. Simmer for another 2 minutes and remove from heat.

A delicious side dish of red lentils is ready. Delicious both hot and cold.

Recipe for cooking in a slow cooker

A miracle of technology - a multicooker helps us cook tasty and healthy meals for ourselves and our family. In a slow cooker, dishes are prepared as in a Russian oven, when all the ingredients were put into a pot at once, covered with a lid and sent to the oven to simmer.

In this recipe we will cook lentils with mushrooms in a slow cooker; the dish turns out very soft, tender and contains a lot of protein.

To prepare we will need:

• Red lentils – 280 gr.
• Onion – 1 pc.
• Champignons – 250 gr.
• Hot water – 480 ml.
• Vegetable oil – 1 tbsp. spoon
• Salt – 1 teaspoon

1. Chop the onion finely.

2. Cut the champignons into beautiful slices.

3. Pour oil into the multicooker bowl. Select the “frying” and “vegetables” modes in the menu and press “start”.

4. Wait a little for the oil to heat up and place the mushrooms and onions in the multicooker bowl to fry for 7 minutes.

5. Turn off the “frying” mode and add the lentils, washed several times, to the bowl.

Secret: rinse the lentils several times to remove all the foam.

6. Pour hot water into the multicooker, add salt, stir.

Considering that when cooking in a slow cooker, the water does not evaporate, add a little less water than is written in the instructions on the package.

7. Turn on the “cereals” mode for 25 minutes and “start”. If you are using green lentils, you will need 40 minutes to cook them.

8. At the end of the cooking time, take out tender, uncooked lentils with mushrooms and treat them to your loved ones.

This dish is especially useful during fasting or for athletes.

The convenience of cooking in a multicooker lies in the compactness of the process itself: the oil does not splatter like in a frying pan, everything is cooked in one closed container. Set it up and go about your business.

Let the side dish brew for a bit and eat. Bon appetit!