Well actually a lentil is a legume but let’s not split hairs beans.  I’ve been a canned bean-aholic for a long time.  It’s so easy to just open and can and dump them into a pot, crock or otherwise.

Yet I have a strong desire to use dried beans instead.  It might be the excess salty stuff I always have to rinse off or the fact that cans take up a TON of space in my awesome pantry.  Either way I keep buying bags of beans hoping I’ll be inspired to make them someday.

The day finally came…actually I ran out of canned lentils and had to think on my feet.  Luckily for me lentils are super easy to cook from scratch.  No overnight soaking, no long hours in the pot.  Quick simple and dinner can be on the table before Hunni eats his arm.

Here’s my basic way to cook lentils.  It’s amazing the many ways Google can help in the kitchen.  I took a little of this and a little of that and hoped for the best.

Basic Garlic Lentils

• Lentils
• Garlic
• Water

Sounds simple enough right?  Oh it is.  You can make a ton ahead and freeze…eliminating the need to ever buy canned again.

1. Grab your dried lentils and try to guess how much is in the jar…maybe I’ll win a prize. I’m thinking about two cups.  Wooohooo! Perfect.
2. Be sure to sort through lentils to remove and rocks or stick.  Extra fiber is great but that would be a bit too much.
3. Add lentils to large pot and cover with water.  A good ratio is 2 cups of water for every cup of lentils if you are going to use them in soups or brothy thing…3 cups for any other preparation. 
4. At this point you can add any flavors you want.  Really, any! I add garlic to anything to ward off the vampires so I added a few smashed cloves to the water.
5. Cover and cook on medium until the water comes to a rapid boil. Double, Double, Toil and trouble.
6. At this point you want to vent the lid and allow the lentils to cook until the water is absorbed.  You have to let the steam escape or it can explode like a mad woman.
7. Cooking takes approximately 20-30 minutes.  Be sure to taste the texture so it’s to your liking.

From there your recipes are endless.  Perfect for my lentil chili or Lindsey’s Vegan Enchiladas.  You should check back later for my Lentil Sloppy Joes too.   I froze the leftover so I can dream of more fun with these new legumes

How about checking out :

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