Description
Cooking lentils is simple and can be done on the stovetop, in a pressure cooker, or in an Instant Pot. Here’s a basic stovetop method, which I prefer the most, because you can easily gauge how tender they are. Use the pasta cooking method!
Ingredients
Units
- 1 cup dry lentils (any type will work here)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon of olive oil
Instructions
- Rinse the lentils: Place the lentils in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse them under cold water to remove any debris or impurities.
- Cook the lentils: In a medium-sized pot, combine 1 cup of lentils with 3 cups of water or broth, salt and a bay leaf.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the lentils are tender. This will range in time, depending on the type and size, from 10 to 30 minutes. Cook until tender, yet where they still hold their shape (al dente). You can check for doneness by tasting a few lentils. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become mushy.
- Season the lentils: Once the lentils are cooked, you can drain them if you like, and season with pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil, or any other desired spices or herbs.
Notes
- Storage: Cooked lentils can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days, or freeze them in the freezer for up to 4 months.
- Tip: Batch cook lentils and freeze in smaller portions for easy midweek meals. Such a lifesaver!
- Variations: Feel free to add chopped onions, garlic, or vegetables to the cooking liquid, for added flavor.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the type and size of lentils you are using, so it’s always a good idea to check the packaging instructions for specific cooking times.
- If you are using a pressure cooker or Instant Pot, you can follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cooking lentils. Typically, you would use a 1:2 ratio of lentils to water or broth and cook them at high pressure for about 8-10 minutes (depending on their size), with a natural pressure release.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup lentils
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3.2 g
- Sodium: 628.1 mg
- Fat: 18.8 g
- Saturated Fat: 15.6 g
- Carbohydrates: 29.8 g
- Fiber: 16
- Protein: 18
- Cholesterol: 5.1 mg
