Dump & Start Red Lentil Tortilla Soup {+Video Recipe} (2024)

FAQs

Do you need to soak red lentils before making soup? ›

How to prepare lentils. Lentils do not require it but can be soaked in order to reduce cooking time by about half. Before cooking, rinse lentils in cold water, pick over to remove debris or shrivelled lentils, then drain.

Go easy—if you purée the soup too much, it will get too thick and you'll lose the integrity of the lentils. If you don't have an immersion blender, transfer a few cups of the soup to a standard blender and purée, then return the blended soup to the pot.

Lentils aren't rice—they don't need to absorb every last drop of cooking liquid. They're more like pasta: best cooked in an abundance of water or stock. Bring your liquid up to a boil, add your lentils, then turn down your heat to a simmer for at least 25-30 minutes.

Lentil soup goes back to Genesis, with it possibly being the dish Jacob served Esau for his birthright and would have been eaten all over the Alexandrian empire, Middle East, and beyond.

Do red lentils need to be soaked before cooking? No, there is no need to soak red lentils before cooking but it is a good idea to give them a quick rinse.

It's highly recommended that you rinse and sort lentils before cooking them. Because of their small size, plus how they are grown and harvested, they are particularly prone to having bits of grit and chaff clinging to them.

Frequently Asked Questions. Can you overcook lentils in soup? Yes, you can overcook lentils; they will become mushy.

Since lentils are starchy, earthy in flavor, and can be on the bland side, there are many ways to make them flavorful, including by adding them into soup. When other ingredients are introduced that complement lentils like onions, garlic, spices, and lemon, the taste is out of this world.

The higher protein content of lentil soup helps maintain muscle mass, which is crucial for a healthy metabolism. Lentils are also low in fat and calories, making them a good ingredient for a satisfying, weight-loss-friendly soup.

the color change you've observed is from oxidation. If you want to prevent this, lay some plastic wrap over the surface of your lentils to prevent air from getting to them, or add some acid, like lime juice, to the recipe.

How to tell when red lentils are done? ›

Around 15 minutes will start to turn them into a puree, 25 minutes you'll have mush. Cook them for around 10-15 minutes if you want to use them in a salad, you want a tender but firm texture and for them to still hold their shape. The easiest way is to check on your lentils as you cook them.

According to the BBC, lentils need a whole lot of water to cook all of the way through. So use at least three times more water than lentils and avoid the temptation to salt the water. Adding salt can make the lentil's exterior tough and unappetizing (via Lentils.org).

Canada is the largest red lentil exporter. The major importing countries are India, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

It is a staple food throughout Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.

Masoor dal, commonly known as red lentil, is a legume and belongs to the Fabaceae family. They are small bushy plants which have small branches. The seeds (red lentils) grow inside their dark flat pods.

Do you cook lentils before adding to soup? Nope! Dried lentils cook in 35 minutes in the soup, and there's no need to soak them either!

You're not using enough water

According to the BBC, lentils need a whole lot of water to cook all of the way through. So use at least three times more water than lentils and avoid the temptation to salt the water.

To soak, I generally rinse and then cover with triple the amount of fresh water, leave overnight on the countertop and rinse the next day. Forgot to soak overnight? Try a quick soak: pour over boiling water and leave to sit for 3 hours before rinsing and draining and proceeding with your recipe.

Soak lentils for about 6 hours or overnight in warm water with a couple tablespoons of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. (The soaking liquid needs to be slightly acidic to neutralize phytic acid and free up minerals for your body.)