How to cook Lentils?

[maddymoo]

Hello
I feel a bit silly asking this, as i'm sure it's really simple, But How do you cook Lentils?
I wan't to just make them plain to add to Bubs vegies.
Thanks

[mysonroger]

OMG.........did you see my post in the thread about nicknames:

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=20986

i couldn't possibly cook lentils................lol

[jaimie]

You can soak them overnight and then just boil them i think.. i usually put them in a soup without soaking them and they are yummy like that.

[EskimoMumma]

I use this really good website when it comes to doing my DD's food. Here it is. (http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/VegetableRecipes.htm)

[OM]

Or you could just buy the canned variety which is 10 times quicker and just rinse them first then puree! Yummy!:thumbsup:

[maddymoo]

Thanks for that girls..... That is a great website mummy of Alex&Mary :thumbsup: I'll be using that one regularly!

[Mummabear]

Sorry, haven't checked out the link. But this is how I prepare lentils (I love them). If you're using them for bubs I would make sure that you soak them long enough or she could get really nasty gas from them. Put them in a bowl and soak them overnight, then rinse really, really well in the morning, then I usually soak them again for a few hours in fresh water. After rinsing them again just boil them. Mash them up while they're still warm as it will be easier.

Hope you have success with them. Well done on introducing bubs to healthy food from the start :thumbsup:. My bubba loves lentils, couscous, wholemeal bread, wholemeal pasta, and especially loves his vegies :thumbsup:

[watermelon]

I use dried red lentils and add these to stews, mashed vegetables and soups.
They don't need soaking, just rinse and boil. They are very creamy and great for "bulking" up stews and casseroles when you only have a small amount of meat.

Also just thought I'd pass on another very yummy meal addition.
Cannelini beans - ready to use canned ones. They are very creamy, you can mash them like potato or add them to soups and stews.

Sam
Mum to Sophie (20/7/05)

[Beany]

This is a really simple, and very comforting, red lentil dish that I make quite frequently.

Chop and lightly fry a quarter of an onion and a garlic clove in vegetable oil (or ghee if you can find any) with a little salt. If you are going to use chilli (highly recommended by me, but I'm a bit of a chilli nut :) ), now would be the time - chilli powder or dried chilli flakes to taste. When the onion is translucent, add a cup of red lentils and a cup of rice, stir it around letting the grains become slick with the oil.

Add 3 cups of water to the mix, a quarter of a teaspoon of turmeric powder (don't over do the turmeric! It's really mostly for the colour, you don't want to actually be able to taste it), stir again, and bring to the boil. Turn the heat down to low and clamp a lid onto the pot.

After 10 minutes or so, give it another stir and check to see if the rice is cooked and whether it requires more salt. If it's looking a little dry, add more water and allow to cook with the lid off for a minute or two.

Just before serving, add a squeeze of lemon juice. Perfect winter food.

Will feed at least 4 people.

[Fairyfloss]

for the brown letils with skin, you need to soak it over night, but I have seen split version of brown, and couple of hours of soaking or slow cooking does the trick, I found red lentils, are harder to handel as they so mushy and kind of disolve, if you have a bit too much water. good luck:chef: