Here is the single best thing I can tell you, and it might change your life: you do not have to soak lentils. Repeat after me: No. Soaking. Required. Unlike dried beans that require a full-on overnight spa treatment, lentils are tiny and thin-skinned. They cook in 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the type.
Just rinse them in a strainer (look for tiny pebbles—they’re sneaky little hitchhikers), throw them in a pot with water or broth, and boil. That’s it. You are twenty minutes away from a meal that feels virtuous and costs almost nothing.
Are They Actually Healthy? (Spoiler: Yes, Painfully So)
Okay, let’s get the health lecture over with, because it’s actually impressive. Lentils are packed with protein (about 18 grams per cup cooked), fiber (15 grams—good luck to your digestive system), and iron. They also have folate, magnesium, and potassium.
Lentils legumes beans | Lentils legumes beans with wooden sp… | Flickr
Basically, they’re the superhero of the pantry who also happens to be incredibly cheap. A bag of lentils costs less than a fancy coffee—and it won’t give you a caffeine crash and a vague sense of regret.
