The Perfect Autumn Blend: Cooking Lentils To Perfection

Autumn Blend Lentils are a colourful mix of yellow toor dal lentils, split orange lentils, brown lentils, and yellow split peas. They are perfect for soups, stews, dal, or even veggie burgers. To cook them, first, rinse the lentils and place them in a pot. Cover with water several inches above the lentils. Partially cover the pan and wait for the water to boil. After it boils, simmer over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes until soft. Season to taste.

Autumn blend lentils cooking time

Autumn blend lentils are a colourful mix of yellow toor dal lentils, split orange lentils, brown lentils, and yellow split peas. They are perfect for soups, stews, dal, or even veggie burgers. Here is a guide to cooking autumn blend lentils:

Preparation

Before cooking, rinse the lentils with fresh water to remove any dust or debris. Sort the lentils carefully and discard any debris or shrivelled lentils.

Cooking

Use a ratio of 3 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc.) to 1 cup of dry lentils. Combine the lentils and liquid in a large saucepan, as the lentils will double or triple in size. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover tightly, then reduce the heat and simmer until tender. This should take around 30-35 minutes. Skim any foam from the top if needed.

Seasoning

Be sure to season with salt after cooking, as adding salt beforehand will make the lentils tough.

Storage

Allow the cooked lentils to cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week, or in the freezer for up to three months.

Autumn blend lentils preparation

Autumn blend lentils are a colourful mix of yellow toor dal lentils, split orange lentils, brown lentils, and yellow split peas. They are perfect for soups, stews, dal, or even veggie burgers. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare autumn blend lentils:

Step 1: Rinse the Lentils

Rinsing the lentils is an important first step to remove any dust or debris. Use a fine mesh sieve to rinse the lentils and pick them over before cooking. This will help ensure that you avoid eating any small rocks or debris that may be mixed in with the dried lentils.

Step 2: Sort and Combine with Water

Sort and rinse the lentils thoroughly. Combine 1 cup of autumn blend lentils with 4 cups of water in a saucepan. The ratio of 1 cup of lentils to 3-4 cups of water is a good guideline, but you can adjust as needed. Just ensure that the water level is several inches above the lentils.

Step 3: Bring to a Boil

Place the saucepan on the stovetop and bring the water to a boil. This will usually take a few minutes, depending on the amount of water and the heat source.

Step 4: Simmer and Skim

Once the water reaches a boil, reduce the heat to a low or medium-low setting. Simmer the lentils for 10 to 35 minutes, or until they are tender. The cooking time will depend on the type of lentils in your autumn blend and your desired texture. Keep an eye on the lentils and skim off any foam that forms on the surface during cooking.

Step 5: Season and Serve

When the lentils are tender, remove them from the heat source. Drain any excess water and season the lentils to taste. You can now use the cooked autumn blend lentils in your favourite recipes, such as soups, stews, or salads. Enjoy!

Autumn blend lentils in soup

Autumn blend lentils are a great addition to soups, adding protein, fibre, iron and folate to your meal. They are a carbohydrate that keeps you fuller for longer.

There are a few different ways to cook autumn blend lentils for soup. One method is to combine the lentils with other ingredients in a pot and let the soup simmer until the lentils are tender. This usually takes around 30-40 minutes, but it will depend on the type of lentil you are using. For example, red lentils will be soft and tender after just 15 minutes of simmering, whereas regular green or brown lentils will take around 30 minutes to soften and become mushy.

Another method is to first sauté onion, garlic, carrots and celery over low heat for about 10 minutes. Then add the lentils and other ingredients, except for the lemon, and simmer for 35-40 minutes or until the lentils are soft. Finally, add a touch of lemon zest and juice to finish.

You can also blend a portion of the soup once the lentils are tender, to create a lightly creamy texture.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 large onion, diced
• 1 leek, white part only, halved and thinly sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp salt and a few grinds of freshly ground pepper
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 3 Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup autumn blend lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1 large can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup collard greens, stems removed and sliced thin
• Handful of parsley, chopped
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven. Add the onion and simmer until translucent, about 5 minutes. Then add the leeks, celery, carrots, turnips, peppers and garlic. Add the spices, stir and cook for a few minutes until the ingredients become fragrant.

Next, add the broth, potatoes, lentils, thyme and bay leaf. Stir in the diced tomatoes and water. Let the soup simmer partially covered for 35 minutes.

Remove the thyme and bay leaf. Stir in the collard greens and lemon juice. Cook for another 5 minutes and serve topped with fresh chopped parsley.

Autumn blend lentils in stews

Autumn blend lentils are a colourful mix of yellow toor dal lentils, split orange lentils, brown lentils, and yellow split peas. They are perfect for stews, adding texture and thickness.

To cook autumn blend lentils for stews, first sort the lentils carefully and rinse them thoroughly. Combine 1 cup of lentils with 4 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30-35 minutes, or until tender. Skim off any foam that forms on the top.

Lentils are a great way to add protein and fibre to your diet and are known for their quick-cooking nature. They are often paired with rice to create a complete protein.

When adding autumn blend lentils to a stew, you can either add the dried lentils directly to the pot and let them cook until tender, or cook them separately and add them to the stew at the end.

• Sauté onions, garlic, and carrots in olive oil before adding the lentils and other ingredients. This will create a flavourful base for your stew.
• Season your stew with spices such as cumin, curry powder, thyme, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and dried onion.
• Add vegetables such as diced tomatoes, celery, and collard greens or kale.
• For a creamy texture, blend a portion of the cooked lentils and vegetables before adding them back to the pot.
• Adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste.
• Serve your lentil stew with crusty bread for dunking!

Autumn blend lentils in salads

Autumn blend lentils are a combination of lentils in fall-like colours, including French green, petite crimson, golden, black, Spanish pardina, and ivory white lentils. They are a great source of protein and fibre and can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads.

To cook autumn blend lentils for a salad, start by sorting and rinsing the lentils thoroughly to remove any dust or debris. Then, in a saucepan, combine 1 cup of lentils with 3-4 cups of water or vegetable broth. You can also add a bay leaf for more flavour. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 15 to 35 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but still slightly firm. Be sure to skim off any foam that forms on top. Once the lentils are cooked, drain them and rinse them with cold water to stop the cooking process.

Now, your autumn blend lentils are ready to be added to a salad! You can try them in a lentil salad with cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, herbs, and a simple lemon dressing. Alternatively, they would go well in an autumn lentil salad with broccoli, red bell pepper, carrot, and a vinaigrette dressing.

Lentils are a great way to add protein and fibre to your diet, and they are easy to cook. They are perfect for hearty fall dishes, and their quick-cooking nature makes them a convenient option for meals.

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