Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Watch your waistline & your wallet with one of the World’s Healthiest Foods, Lentils! This quintessential comfort food is quick enough for weeknight meals made easy, affordable as can be at a mere $0.75 per pound and naturally nutritious as they are delightfully delicious!
Known as a nutritional powerhouse, Lentils lead the way with wholesomeness! Packed with high levels of low-fat protein makes them the perfect substitute for meat. Also high in cholesterol lowering soluble Fiber while also providing good to excellent amounts of B Vitamins, Folate, Magnesium & Zinc. They also increase your energy with twice as much Iron as other legumes. Needless to say these little legumes are low in fat & calories too.
They're also a naturally gluten-free food.
There are 3 main varieties: French/European, Egyptian/Red and Yellow lentils.
Within these 3 main varieties there are an abundant array of kinds such as Brown/Spanish Pardina, French Green (Puy Lentils), Green and Black/Beluga. Although brown, green & red lentils are the most common varieties in the United States.
Lentils are available at most supermarkets, health food specialty stores and gourmet markets. They're found packaged and in bulk whole or hulled and split into halves. Lentils last up to one year sealed in an airtight container in a cool, dry and dark area.
PREPARATION POINTS:
- Be sure to look your lentils over first for any small stones or tiny particles.
- Unlike other legumes (i.e. beans), you do not have to pre-soak Lentils prior to cooking.
- Just rinse in a colander under cold water & they are ready to prepare.
- Salt & Acid such as lemon & vinegar toughen the lentil skins so it is ideal to add
- these ingredients once the lentils are tender.
- Lentils average cooking time is between 10 to 30 minutes depending upon the variety.
Upcoming Class with Julie Taboulie: Soothe the Soul ~ Lebanese Style Lentil Soups:
Date: Saturday, January 22nd 2011
Time; 2:00pm to 4:00pm
What: Hands On Cooking Class
Where: The New York Wine & Culinary Center
Contact: 585.394.7070
Visit:
www.nywcc.com Email Julie at
Julie@JulieTaboulie.com.
