Easy Lentil Curry Recipe (Stove or Instant Pot) (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take to cook lentils? ›

Bring to a boil, cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer until they are tender. For whole lentils, cook time is typically 15-20 minutes. For split red lentils, cook time is typically only about 5-7 minutes. Be sure to season with salt after cooking – if salt is added before, the lentils will become tough.

Red Lentils (Masoor Dal) can be used instead of Petite yellow lentils (Mung Dal). Mung Dal will take a few minutes longer to cook through. Mung Beans and Lentils can also be used interchangeably.

Lentil curry contains 264 calories per 240 g serving. This serving contains 13 g of fat, 8.8 g of protein and 29 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 7.8 g sugar and 8.2 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate. Lentil curry contains 3.1 g of saturated fat and 0 mg of cholesterol per serving.

At the very least, add some salt and pepper to your canned lentils after draining, but they're even tastier with a bright squeeze of lemon juice to lift them up. A bit of chopped onion or pepper goes a long way. If pressed for time, stir some salsa into your lentils or top with a flavorful southern chow-chow.

The process of soaking removes the gas-causing elements from the lentils. While legumes contain complex oligosaccharides, a type of complex sugar responsible for bloating and gas. Post-soaking the complex sugar is remarkably reduced thereby easing gas troubles.

How to prepare lentils. Lentils do not require it but can be soaked in order to reduce cooking time by about half. Before cooking, rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove debris or shrivelled lentils, then drain.

If you don't have stock on hand, add onion, carrots, celery, garlic cloves and/or herbs to the pot. All of these are mild flavors that can jump in any direction depending on how you're going to use the cooked lentils.

In Hindi, the word 'Sabut' is used for lentils which are whole. The word 'Dal' or 'Dahl' is used for split lentils. The word 'Dhuli' is used for split and husked/skinned lentils.

Dal or daal is the generic Hindi word for Lentil. But dal refers both to the uncooked dry lentil and also the cooked lentil curry. You need dal to cook dal. That is, you need lentils to cook lentil curry .

Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.

Are lentils better for you than potatoes? ›

Potatoes have carbohydrates they can do strength and energy for work. Lentils have more fiber, vitamins, and micronutrients. It makes our health well.

You do have to cook them, although soaking them first can have benefits. It does things to the enzymes that make the lentils less starchy and easier to digest with less gas. If you want them cold for a salad, you'll still have to cook them, then rinse in cool water.

The best way to tell if lentils are cooked is to try to mash one with a fork. If it's easy to mash it, it's fully cooked. If it doesn't give or just breakfast, you may need to simmer if for a few extra minutes. Lentils are an economical and speedy way to add iron and heart-healthy vegan protein to your diet.

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat combine water, lentils and salt. Bring pot to a full boil, then adjust and lower heat just enough to maintain a slow, steady simmer. Cover tightly and continue cooking until the lentils are soft and tender, about 15 to 20 minutes or so.

Not only does it help speed up the cooking process, it also reduces the phytic acid content in the lentils. And less phytic acid equals increased nutrient bioavailability, specifically for zinc and iron.