Lentils are a true treasure trove of nutritionally valuable supplies, easy to prepare, and with a great taste.

You probably remember the delicious and nutritious lentil stew your grandmothers used to make, and we’ve included a recipe for just such a dish, inspired by her cooking, below!

Lentils – a healthy and versatile food

Lentils are an affordable, delicious, and very healthy food with which you can prepare various healthy dishes.

This delicious legume is very low in fat and high in soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar, lower cholesterol, and also promote digestion.

Lentils are rich in vitamins and minerals, including iron. Boil and refrigerate them for salads, soups, stews, etc.

One cup of cooked lentils contains about 230 calories, 18 grams of protein, 1 gram of fat, and 16 grams of fiber.

Another advantage of lentils is that they can be used year-round, they do not need to be soaked before cooking, and they are prepared faster than other legumes.

It is very filling, so it can prevent hunger and excessive consumption of some other foods.

Nutritionists are increasingly warning about the potential risks of excessive red meat consumption.

An outstanding replacement for red meat is lentils.

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When mixed, for example, with vegetables or legumes, this meal contains all the nutrients the body needs. You can prepare lentils the same day you serve the dish because, unlike other legumes, they don’t require soaking the day before.

Types of lenses – key differences and methods of use

Brown lentils are the most popular and affordable type, holding their shape well during cooking, making them ideal for use in various soups and stews.

This type of lentil is also excellent in veggie burgers or simply as a side dish to meat or fish dishes.

Cook for between 30 and 45 minutes, until tender and all the water has been absorbed.

Green lentils are an excellent substitute for the famous French Puy lentils.

Like brown lentils, they hold their shape well and will not boil over quickly.

With their strong, slightly spicy aromas, they will be an ideal ingredient in a healthy homemade stew or soup and will pair well with tomatoes, onions, and olive oil.

Red and yellow lentils are extremely convenient because they cook faster than other types.

These lentils have a slightly sweet flavor and are very common in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, where they are used to prepare traditional dishes such as Indian dal. Red lentils cook for about 15 to 30 minutes.

With their rich, earthy flavor, delicate texture, and beautiful appearance, black (beluga) lentils make an excellent base for salads.

Beluga lentils improve muscle development since they are high in protein and iron, which also helps the immune system to be strengthened generally.

Never cook it for more than twenty minutes; it also contains vitamin B, minerals, and fiber.

How to make lentil stew?

To prepare a healthy and delicious lentil stew, you will need various vegetables and, of course, lentils.

This time we decided to make a stew with brown lentils, but feel free to add some yellow or red lentils to the recipe if you have them on hand.

We used onions, garlic, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and pumpkin as vegetables, but if you don’t have pumpkin at home, feel free to replace it with potatoes.

The preparation is simple and quick, and the taste and texture will surely delight you.

Lentil and Chickpea Stew

Although today we bring you a recipe for lentil and vegetable stew, you can definitely try chickpea and lentil stew.

Popular in many countries, particularly in the Middle East and India, lentil and chickpea stew is a great and healthful meal high in protein and fiber.

To prepare lentil and chickpea stew, you first need to soak the dried chickpeas overnight so that they cook faster and easier.

Then, put the chickpeas to cook in salted water until tender. When the chickpeas are cooked, drain them.

Fry the finely chopped onion, garlic, and carrot in heated oil, then add diced tomatoes and spices of your choice, such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, or chili.

Add the red and brown lentils, pour water over them, and cook together for another half an hour or until the lentils and chickpeas are completely tender.

Serve the stew warm, with fresh bread, and enjoy a healthy and delicious meal!

Ingredients:

• 1 onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 small carrots
• A piece of celery
• 200 g mushrooms
• Red wine
• 1 small pumpkin or 2 potatoes
• 150 g  brown lentils
• Salt, pepper, smoked paprika
•  olive oil

Simple lentil stew – a quick recipe that we love!

Preparation:

• Fry the onion and garlic in a little olive oil, then add the grated carrots and celery.
• Add the sliced ​​mushrooms and fry until the liquid evaporates.
• Then pour in the wine and cook until the alcohol evaporates.
• Add the diced pumpkin, lentils and pour in the water.
• Season and cook for about 25 minutes.