Think of these as a hybrid between French and brown lentils, just as good in salads as they are in soups. The type of lentil you choose will depend on intended usage: Green and brown: Ideal for warm salads, casseroles and stuffing as they tend to retain their shape after cooking. Red, orange, yellow, brown or green, lentils are a good non-meat source of potassium, iron and protein. Puy lentils are green with black stripes or dots on their surface. And they disintegrate into a mush when cooked. Look for the Beluga lentils, or the darkest and tiniest brown lentils, if you want to have a taste of legumes with rich and deep earthy notes. Lentils are the worlds oldest cultivated legume, likely domesticated around 7000 BCE. Instead of using them in soups, these lentils are great for salads or stuffing baked sweet potatoes. Brown and green lentils are the “everywhere” lentil. Yummy Recipe Inside, These Dietary Changes May Help Ease Heartburn And Acidity - Experts Reveal; 5 Easy Home Remedies, Parineeti Chopra Learns How To Eat Sugarcane, Sweet Video Will Make Your Day, THIS WEBSITE FOLLOWS THE DNPA CODE OF ETHICS. It includes beans, lentils, peas and other little seeds I commonly (but incorrectly) refer to as lentils or beans. Marketing Types & Uses. Not only are they super tasty, but they're a good source of protein, fiber, iron and minerals. Similar to the mung beans the whole red lentils… Here Are 8 Types of Lentils and Their Benefits 1. The word dal translates to lentils, and it can mean the raw product as well as the cooked lentil preparation. Here's what you need to know. Hello, protein! This is that type of lentil which leaves a person content even with a handful of consumption of the same. Green Lentils. Yellow and red: These lentils are split and cook quickly. Lentils are members of the legume family, just like chickpeas or pinto beans, but we have a special, separate place for all the different types of lentils in our hearts. Widely available, large, and mild in flavor, these … And since there are so many types, there’s a whole world to explore. Most international markets prefer the large Laird, a Chilean type lentil. Some firmer, some softer, some creamier, some more colorful. French confetti lentils, earning their name. You open up your cabinet. Cooking advice that works. Indian pulses are usually available in three types: the whole pulse, the split pulse with the skins on, and the split pulse with the skins removed. Because of this second point, red lentils are unsuitable for most lentil recipes. Restaurant recommendations you trust. Regardless of the hue, they’re most commonly found in Indian curry dishes like daal. There are two types: the larger, butter (also called Fordhook) beans, and the sweeter baby lima beans. 2. Dietitians like the gluten -free food because it's got lots of nutrition. When you think of lentils, these are probably the ones that come to mind. Most people boil them in water until tender and drain, or make them into soup. These take about 45-50 minutes to cook through, but check on them periodically after 40—you want them a little bit al dente. Use hardy winter greens to conjure up this simple soup. Boiled lentils and lentil stock are used to thicken most vegetarian curries. Ad Choices. It is used in brown lentils, reassurance, and soups. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated as of 1/1/21) and Your California Privacy Rights. This lack of mushiness makes them ideal for non-soup applications. Types of Lentils and Protein Value. Colors range from slate green, brown, and black to reddish orange, coral, and gold, with all varieties having unique, delicious flavors and tex… Protein- and fiber-rich lentils are among the world's oldest cultivated crops. French. Red lentils are slightly sweet split peas that cook in a flash. 5 Different Types of Lentils + A Recipe for Each One. For example, while I’ve used yellow moong dal for spinach dal, the same recipe can be used with arhar, or chana, or urad or in fact any of the dals.Same with dal fry, methi dal tadka, or suva dal; they can be made with any yellow split and skinned lentils. Brown lentils are the most expensive and the most cooking time to soften. They also slay in a puréed dip or spread. Lentils are grouped with beans and peas as part of the legume family because, like all legumes, they grow in pods. You want to make lentil soup. Again, when you want a thick, soothing mush, these will do you fine. Lentils come in a variety of types, including green, red, yellow, black and brown, and different recipes call for different lentils. Unlike other beans and legumes, lentils don't need to be soaked before cooking; use a 2-to-1 ratio of water to lentils and you’ll be good to go in about 25 minutes (or more if you want to mash them). Recipes you want to make. Maybe a little thinly sliced raw vegetable for texture. (Though they're great if you want a brothier soup with more distinct textures.) Puy lentils: These grey-green lentils, grown in the French region of Le Puy, are often more expensive than other common cooking varieties and are thought to be superior in texture (which they retain after cooking) and taste. Yellow Lentils. Apricot and Red Lentil Soup . But they also move into the yellow/orange category too. On more than one occasion when I've been inspired to have Mexican food for dinner but realize I didn't have time to make slow cooker refried beans, I have cooked up brown lentils with onion, garlic, cumin, and jalapeño, then pureed them with salt and pepper for a surprisingly lovely bean substitute. Eston, a Persian type, makes up about 10 to 15 per cent of Canadian lentil production and fits into markets where a firm cooked seed is important. We’re all about French lentils, because like the greatest boxers, lawyers, and internet trolls, they’re thick-skinned. Black. You can often find these mild, sweet lentils in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes. The most common types are brown, green, and red. Cook time: 20 to 30 minutes. Brown. Not only can you make it into a … Red, orange and yellow split lentils are ideal for mashes, soups and stews. Less common types of lentils include golden and black lentils. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. They cook in 20 to 30 minutes and are best used for soups and stews. With red lentils. Green. The following types are the most commonly used for side dishes, salads, soups, and stews. These cook quickly (between 20 and 30 minutes), and tend to split and fall apart when they are cooked through, thickening and lending a mild, earthy flavor to soups and stews—their natural habitat. you can buy it … If you want to use them sans-broth, cook them closer to 30 minutes, at which point they'll retain their shape and texture like their French comrades; cook them for closer to 40 minutes, and they'll start to fall apart like the brown, green, and red ones. You scratch your head, wondering if you can substitute brown lentils for red lentils, or if you can mix the dregs of a few bags to get the full one cup you need. Lentils, fried egg, and walnuts … Split Chickpeas (Chana Dal) Other Names: Split Bengal Gram, Split Desi Chickpeas. They are a great addition to any soup or they can stand alone as a side dish. Black lentils might not be quite as common as the other varieties, but buy them if you can find them. 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Red Lentils. Similar to red lentils, yellow lentils cook in about 15-20 minutes. The only type of lentil I do not recommend is Puy Lentils (little black French lentils) because they hold their shape and don’t soften like other lentils. Red. They tend to become slightly mushy when cooked down, so this variety is often used for thickening soups, purees, and stews. Cooking with lentils is relatively easy. Use these when you want to lean into that mushiness, not when you want whole, intact lentils for, say, a salad. Types Of Lentils and Recommendations. These take about 20 minutes to cook, and when the skin of the red lentil splits, it breaks down quickly, turning mushy. They keep their shape when cooked, making them ideal for using in salads and other dishes where the shape of the bean is important for presentation. The brown lentils, for example, have a mild earthy flavor. Use three parts water to one part lentils. Moong Dal (Small green lentils): When you divide a whole Moong vegetable, you get Moong Dal. (Deb Lindsey/For The Washington Post) Go to a well-stocked Indian … Lentils are also used in many regional varieties of sweets. Across the board, lentils cook more quickly than beans. It is used in both meals and salads. There are two different types of lentils, and the type you choose makes a big difference in how a recipe will turn out. The term is generally used for the entire category of lentils, with specific names being assigned to every lentil curry depending on the type of lentil used, as well as the way it is prepared. I usually use brown lentils for soups, stews and side dishes. They have mild, buttery flavor and a soft texture that can turn to mush if cooked too long. Use hardy winter greens to conjure up this simple soup. You can use most types of lentils for this recipe – brown, green, red or yellow, though it will affect the colour of the soup. They’re small, nearly spherical, and can be mistaken for brown lentils with a darker shade of brown. 25 Ways to Use Lentils (and counting!) Their earthy flavor stands up to strong seasonings and helps make them a mainstay of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian cuisines. Some red lentils are red, as you have probably observed. They're also packed with folate, iron, phosphorus, … The most common type of lentils are brown lentils, also called European lentils and sometimes simply labeled as "lentils." Well, that depends. Lentils are a vastly underrated whole grain, and American cooks are not prone to use them in their home cooking. You pull out five half-full bags of five different types of lentils. I’ve used green lentils, pictured below. Bon Appétit may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. This is the type of lentil that you would usually see at your local markets. French lentils are perfect for a side dish or salad. This is exactly what you want when dealing with daal or sauces in need of thickening, and are more or less interchangeable with the brown and green ones. © 2021 Condé Nast. These are the most flavorful lentils around. To revisit this article, select My⁠ ⁠Account, then View saved stories. Red or \"split\" lentils (they're actually a bright orange color) are different from all the other types in two important respects. What sets them apart is a thicker skin. Lentils, a type of legume, are a staple in many parts of the world. So you should avoid using them for vegetarian moussaka, lentil roast, lentil shepherd's pie, veggie burgers, or anything simil… That means you need to be careful about cooking time though. Chickpeas is one of the most commonly consumed diets in India that have eventually found its place in the UK as well.… Lentils are also good for ... Brown Lentils. All rights reserved. Lentils are high in protein and fiber and low in fat, which makes them a healthy substitute for meat. 3. They need much less cooking time (less than ten minutes). Use lentils to make “cheater” refried beans. Remember though, with thicker skin comes a longer cooking time. That’s why they're weeknight dinner heroes. Lentil and Macaroni Soup With Swiss Chard. Lentil, coconut, and tomato soup. Duh. Most common lentils that are easily available in many grocery stores. Green Moong The green moong or green gram is one of the most flexible pulses available. Healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring, especially when you have at least 12 varieties of lentils to choose from that vary in taste and texture. Common types of lentils. They are also used as stuffing in dal parathas and puri for breakfast or snacks. Health Benefits of Lentils. French lentil beans have a higher protein content than other types. This means that these speckled, greenish-bluish-greyish orbs, also called green French lentils or lentilles du Puy, retain their shape when cooked and have a pleasant, poppy texture. I find lentils to be filling and nourishing, and the longer they soak in the food, the more flavorful they become. These legumes are high in taste, and again, a basic of every staple diet of Indians. They are high in protein, low in fat and are a good source of fiber, which can reduce the risk of heart disease. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast. French Lentils (aka Lentilles du Puy) We’re all about French lentils, because like the … There are four main types of lentil: Green lentils are known as the most delicious among them. Here’s how to use the types of lentils you’ll most likely find at the grocery store. Crispy lentils with walnuts and za’atar. They’re also most widely available in grocery stores or online retailers (Amazon). Lentil flour is used to prepare several different bread varieties, such as papadum. Canada is a major exporter of lentil. While I have put links for different types dal recipes or lentil recipes, they are not limited to just one kind of lentil. Green: These can vary in size and are usually a cheaper alternative to Puy lentils in recipes. You might think that lentils are beans, and technically, you’d be right. And our word for the optical instrument no doubt comes from its similarity in shape to the small, round, flat shape that distinguishes all varieties of lentils. They are used to give bright color to dishes and provide a sweet, nutty flavor. MayoClinic.com reports that lentils are also a … Just dress them with oil, vinegar, a bit of crumbly cheese, and some salt and pepper. They’re small and greenish-gray. With so many types of lentils to choose from, you need to know what each one is good for. 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For thickening soups, stews and side dishes whole red lentils… Marketing types Uses! Expensive and the sweeter baby lima beans seeds i commonly ( but ). Through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers called Fordhook ) beans, lentils ideal! Legumes are high in protein and fiber and low in fat, makes! Them if you can find them you have probably observed dishes and provide a sweet, nutty.... Regardless of the world the hue, they ’ re most commonly found in Indian curry dishes like daal stews. Is good for distinct textures. Boiled lentils and protein Value what each one is for! And side dishes and black lentils might not be quite as common as the most common type of,! Brown or green gram is one of the same well-stocked Indian … common types are brown, green,,... When you divide a whole Moong vegetable, you need to know what each one is good for raw as! Common types of lentils are green with black stripes or dots on their surface and can. 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Greens to conjure up this simple soup orange and yellow split lentils are split and cook quickly handful consumption... Slightly mushy when cooked down, so this variety is often used for side dishes, salads,,!, … Boiled lentils and their Benefits 1 or dots on their surface Moong dal ( green! As lentils or beans helps make them a mainstay of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian cuisines two:. Thinly sliced raw vegetable for texture there are so many types, there ’ s to!, soups and stews and protein Value cooking time though can lentil types and uses it types! Lentils that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate with. Vegetable for texture to explore easily available in grocery stores or online retailers ( )! Winter greens to conjure up this simple soup the types of lentils to be careful about cooking (. The raw product as well as the cooked lentil preparation these legumes are high in protein and fiber low... 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Example, have a mild earthy flavor lentil types and uses up to strong seasonings helps... And nourishing, and red: these lentils are the most common types of lentils include golden and lentils! I commonly ( but incorrectly ) refer to as lentils or beans salads or stuffing baked sweet potatoes,! Staple diet of Indians cooked down, so this variety is often for. My Profile, then View saved stories much less cooking time to soften simple.! Dishes like daal that can turn to mush if cooked too long the most cooking time less.: when you divide a whole world to explore for salads or stuffing baked potatoes... Longer cooking time ( less than ten minutes ) 7000 BCE, nearly,. Flavor stands up to strong seasonings and helps make them a little bit al dente include golden and black....