Autumn Blend Heirloom Lentils: A Hearty, Healthy Cooking Guide

Autumn Blend Heirloom Lentils are a colourful mix of yellow toor dal lentils, split orange lentils, brown lentils, and yellow split peas. This mix is perfect for soups, stews, dal, or even veggie burgers. They are also packed with nutrients like folate, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and fibre, making them a great substitute for meat. To cook, simply 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 boil. After boiling, simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes until soft.

How to cook autumn blend heirloom lentils on the stove

Autumn blend heirloom lentils are a colourful mix of yellow toor dal lentils, split orange lentils, brown lentils, and yellow split peas. They are a great source of protein and fibre and can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to veggie burgers and Mexican food. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking autumn blend heirloom lentils on the stove:

Step 1: Rinse the Lentils

Use a fine-mesh sieve to rinse the lentils and pick them over, discarding any debris or shrivelled lentils. This step is important to avoid eating any small rocks or other unwanted objects that may be mixed in with the dried lentils.

Step 2: Prepare the Pot

Place the rinsed lentils in a pot and cover them with water. The water level should be several inches above the lentils. You don't need to worry about a specific lentil-to-water ratio, but make sure the pot is only filled about halfway with water to avoid boiling over.

Step 3: Bring the Water to a Boil

Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. Allow the water to come to a rolling boil. This may take several minutes, depending on the amount of water and the strength of your stove.

Step 4: Simmer the Lentils

Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low and partially cover the pot. Allow the lentils to simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, or until they are soft. The specific cook time will depend on the type of lentils in your autumn blend and your desired level of doneness. If needed, skim any foam from the top of the water.

Step 5: Season and Serve

When the lentils are soft, turn off the heat and season them to taste. You can simply add salt and pepper, or try something more complex like lemon juice, Dijon mustard, fresh herbs, and red pepper flakes. These lentils are now ready to be used in your favourite recipes or enjoyed as a side dish.

How to cook autumn blend heirloom lentils in a pressure cooker

Autumn blend heirloom lentils are a colourful mix of yellow toor dal lentils, split orange lentils, brown lentils, and yellow split peas. This blend is perfect for soups, stews, dal, or even veggie burgers. Here is a guide on how to cook them in a pressure cooker.

Preparation

First, rinse the lentils and check for any debris or stones. Then, add the lentils to the pressure cooker with your choice of liquid. For every 1 cup of lentils, use 1.5 cups of liquid. You can use water, vegetable broth, or chicken stock.

Cooking

Close the lid of the pressure cooker and set it to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 6-10 minutes, depending on the desired texture. If you want the lentils to retain their shape and be on the firmer side, cook for 6-8 minutes. If you want them softer, cook for 10 minutes. Red lentils, which are not included in the autumn blend, will become mushy in the pressure cooker, so reduce the cooking time to 5 minutes if you are using them in another blend.

Once the timer goes off, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining steam.

Seasoning

You can season the lentils with salt and pepper to taste. For extra flavour, add spices like cumin, onion powder, paprika, cayenne, oregano, thyme, or rosemary. You can also add aromatics like onion, garlic, or chilli peppers to the pressure cooker before cooking the lentils.

Storage

Cooked lentils can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3-4 months.

How to cook autumn blend heirloom lentils in a slow cooker

Autumn Blend Heirloom Lentils are a colourful mix of yellow toor dal lentils, split orange lentils, brown lentils, and yellow split peas. This blend is perfect for soups, stews, dal, or even veggie burgers. Here is a guide on how to cook them in a slow cooker.

Firstly, sort the lentils carefully and rinse them thoroughly. This blend of lentils is available in a resealable package, so make sure to seal it tightly after use.

Next, place the lentils in your slow cooker and cover them with water or broth/stock. The amount of liquid required depends on the consistency you want to achieve. For a soup-like consistency, cover the lentils with 2-3 cups of water, as you would when cooking lentils on a stovetop. However, if you want a thicker consistency, use less liquid.

Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or on LOW for 6-8 hours. The cooking time may vary depending on your slow cooker, as not all cook at the same temperature.

Once the lentils are done, carefully drain them and season to taste. You can also add other ingredients to enhance the flavour, such as sautéed onions or other seasonings.

The cooked lentils can be enjoyed as a side dish or used as an ingredient in various recipes. They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

How to cook autumn blend heirloom lentils in an Instant Pot

First, rinse your lentils and place them in the Instant Pot. Cover the lentils with water—the water level should be several inches above the lentils.

Next, secure the lid and select the Pressure Cook setting. Set the timer for 6-8 minutes for al dente lentils, or 10 minutes for softer lentils.

Once the timer beeps, allow a natural pressure release for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining steam. Open the pot, discard any aromatics, and transfer the lentils to a bowl or container.

Your autumn blend heirloom lentils are now ready to be enjoyed!

Recipe ideas for autumn blend heirloom lentils

Autumn blend heirloom lentils are a colourful mix of yellow toor dal lentils, split orange lentils, brown lentils, and yellow split peas. This blend is perfect for soups, stews, dal, or even veggie burgers. Here are some recipe ideas and cooking instructions for autumn blend heirloom lentils:

Cooking Instructions:

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 boiling, simmer over low heat for 10-15 minutes or until soft. Season to taste.

Recipe Ideas:

Soups and Stews:

The autumn blend heirloom lentils are perfect for thickening soups and stews. The smaller lentils will add body while the larger lentils will retain their shape and texture.

Indian Spiced Lentil Soup:

For a creamy and curried soup, combine the autumn blend with sun-dried tomatoes, coconut milk, apple, ginger, and hot curry powder.

French Lentils with Sweet Potatoes and Kale:

This recipe is perfect for vegans and is packed with nutrition and flavour. Sauté onion, carrot, and sweet potato with salt until soft. Then, add garlic, cumin, and allspice, and cook for another minute. Add the lentils and stock, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Season to taste, stir in kale, and garnish with cilantro. Serve with pita bread.

Orange Lentil Hummus:

For a twist on traditional hummus, try using autumn blend heirloom lentils with extra virgin olive oil, onions, garlic, and your choice of spices and herbs.

Green Lentils with Sweet Potato Curry:

For an exotic and filling dish, serve lentil curry with rice and curd.

Veggie Burgers:

Form cooked autumn blend heirloom lentils into patties and add your favourite seasonings and spices to create delicious veggie burgers.

Frequently asked questions