Lentils are super nutritious, inexpensive, and an extremely versatile pantry ingredient. All this week, I have been posting recipes that feature lentils from the simple Dal Chawal to the more sophisticated Lentil Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. In case they somehow went off your regular rotation, here are some great reasons why you should rediscover and eat more lentils!

What Are Lentils Exactly?

Lentils are legumes – the dried edible seeds of the lentil plant. Fun fact: They are called lentils from the Latin word for lens – due to their well-known lens shape. Lentils have been grown and used in cooking in India, Africa and Europe for centuries.

Types of Lentils

There are many different types of lentils with slight differences in taste as well as sturdiness (as in how well they hold their shape after cooking).

• Red and Yellow lentils are mild in taste and cook easily. They also tend to get mushy after cooking so they are great in Indian dals or in soups.
• French lentils (Green lentils/ Puy lentils) are nutty in taste and hold their shape well. They work really well in salads.
• Black Lentils have an earthy taste and look like caviar, hence the name Beluga lentils!
• Brown lentils are the most commonly found in stores. They are larger in size, mild in taste and hold their shape well after cooking.

Check out The Cook’s Thesaurus for everything on lentils!

How to Cook Lentils

There are many ways to cook lentils. It comes down to the intended use for the lentils as well as how much time you have. For Indian dals where shape is not critical, I prefer a pressure cooker. A lot of you also use the Insta-pot. However, the most common method to cook lentils is on the stove top, in a covered saucepan. This method may take more time but gives you control of how much to cook your lentils – especially if you want it al dente for salads.

If you are new to cooking lentils, Love and Lemons has a easy post on how to cook lentils.

If you have cooked lentils on hand, putting together nutritious weeknight meals is a breeze. Bon Appetit agrees with this article: Black Lentils Are the Best Lentil for Meal Prep, Period

Organic Authority has a really great summary on why and how to cook and incorporate lentils into your diet.

Let’s eat more lentils!