2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
The lens is a legume and more precisely the seeds of a plant whose botanical name is Lens ensculenta. Lentils grow in the form of pods, each of which contains one or two seeds. Lentils are classified according to whether their seeds are large or small in size. Dozens of varieties are known to be grown. While the most common types are either green or brown lentils, it can also be found in black, yellow and red-orange colors.
Lentils are believed to have originated in Central Asia and have been used since prehistoric times. It is one of the first foods ever cultivated. Seeds from lentilsdating back 8,000 years, have been found at archeological sites in the Middle East. The lens is also mentioned in the Bible. Before the 1st century AD, lentils were introduced in India, where they were used to make a traditional, highly spiced dish known as dal. In many Catholic countries, lentils were used as a staple food during Lent. We are currently the leading commercial manufacturers of lentils are India, Turkey, Canada, China and Syria.
Lens composition
Lentils are an excellent source of molybdenum and folate. It is a very good source of dietary fiber and manganese, as well as a good source of iron, protein, phosphorus, copper, thiamine and potassium. 1 cup of lentils or about 198 g of lentils contain 229 calories, 17.86 g of protein and 0.75 g of fat.
Types of lentils
Lentils have a variety of sizes and colors, ranging from yellow and red-orange to brown and black. There is also a green lentil. The most common and therefore the cheapest lens is brown, also called continental and Egyptian. It has a weaker taste than others and is easily flaky when cooked. However, this unpleasant disadvantage can be avoided by adding oil to the water.
Another very popular lentils is red. When subjected to heat treatment, it changes its color to golden yellow. It has a sweet taste. Suitable for stews, soups and purees.
The most expensive representative of the lens is its green variety, also called French lentils. It is fleshy, with a very intense taste and remains firm even after cooking. This makes it ideal for making salads.
One of the most attractive varieties of lentils is the beluga. It is so called because during cooking the black beans become shiny like the caviar of the same name.
Selection and storage of lentils
Choose lentilswhich is shiny and without black spots. If the envelope is transparent, look for small debris and worms, and if there is - do not buy this type. Inspect the envelope for expiration date.
The lens should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark place. Stored in this way, it remains valid for up to 12 months.
Culinary use of lentils
The lens is a typical dish for the Bulgarian table. It can be prepared in the form of soup, stew, with or without meat. Lentils are also used to make vegetable meatballs and some salads. Lentils can be used for stuffing peppers, and baked oven-baked lentil stew is a very tasty and healthy dish.
In many countries, lentils are made mixed with rice. In the Middle East, a similar dish is mujadara, in which onions stewed in vegetable fat are added to lentils.
The taste of lentils is best complemented by anise spices and especially fennel. The traditional Bulgarian lentil soup is flavored with garlic and savory. Garlic is also added to the Scottish lentil stew recipe, but bay leaf is also added.
In the Moroccan soup called harira, lentils are combined with chickpeas, cinnamon, lamb, saffron and coriander. Lentils can also be seasoned with lemon juice, parsley, paprika and cumin. Lentil stew can be completely lean or combined with chicken or pork.
Benefits of lentils
The lens, which is a small but highly nutritious member of the legume family, is a very good source of substances that lower cholesterol. Lentils not only help lower cholesterol, but are also especially helpful in disrupting blood sugar levels, as their high fiber content allows blood sugar levels to rise rapidly after a meal.
The contribution to the heart health of lentils lies not only in the high fiber content, but also in the significant amount of folate and magnesium it contains.
The high fiber content in lentils leads to the body's supply of energy while stabilizing blood sugar levels. The extra energy that the lens provides is also increased by its high iron content.
Lens damage
The lens contains natural substances called purines, which are found in plants, animals and humans. In some individuals who are prone to purine problems, excessive intake of these substances can cause health problems.
Because purines can be distributed in the form of uric acid, over-accumulation of purines in the body can lead to the accumulation of excess uric acid. The health problems associated with this excess are the formation of kidney stones from uric acid and the development of gout.
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Popular Varieties Of Lentils
The lens is among the most useful legumes and unlike the beans themselves, it cooks very quickly and does not need to be pre-soaked. Here we will not give our preferences to lentils at the expense of beans, which are undoubtedly very useful for our health, but we will only present you which ones are the most popular varieties of lentils , what is the difference in the way they are prepared and their price (there are few Bulgarians who are not interested in the price of f
Facts And Application Of Yellow Lentils
The yellow lens differs from other types of lentils in that it is soft and cooks quickly - it has no scales. It has a pleasant and delicate aroma with a slight taste of mushrooms, and with the addition of spices it is even tastier. It only takes 10-15 minutes to be fully ready.
Storage And Preservation Of Lentils
The lens can be an important part of a healthy eating plan for people who follow a vegetarian diet, want to lose weight, lower cholesterol or have diabetes. Lentils are high in fiber and protein, a good source of folic acid, potassium and iron.
Lentils With Vegetables
Surprise your guests with unconventionally cooked lentils. Everyone is used to eating lentils in the form of soup, but it is also very tasty in the form of a dish with vegetables. Lentils are very useful because they contain many valuable substances.
Lentils: Nutrition, Benefits And How To Prepare It
The lens is edible various seeds of the legume family. Although they are traditional in Asian and North African cuisine, the largest production of lentils today is in Canada. In this article we will tell you everything about the lens , the benefits of it and how to cook it.
