Red Lentil and Coconut Dal with Toasted Sunflower Seeds | Rebel Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you know when red lentils are cooked? ›

Bring your liquid up to a boil, add your lentils, then turn down your heat to a simmer for at least 25-30 minutes. Keep tasting your lentils as they cook to see if they're the consistency you want—more firm if you're eating them on their own or in a salad, and softer if they're going into a soup or stew.

Add in the coconut milk, chicken stock & desiccated coconut (optional), mix to combine & bring to a simmer. Once simmering, add in the seared chicken along with any resting juices & mix to combine. Reduce heat to low & simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

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.

Lentils to do not require soaking like other pulses. Rinse your lentils with fresh water before boiling to remove any dust or debris. Cook on a stovetop, using 3 cups of liquid (water, stock, etc) to 1 cup of dry lentils.

I often use shredded coconut and desiccated coconut interchangeably when I am baking, making desserts, curries or coconut recipes. Shredded coconut is a larger fiber so you may want to pulse it in a food processor to make it finer to become more like desiccated coconut if needed.

However, if we compare both based on the versatility then desiccated coconut will win the race. Also desiccated coconuts due to less moisture have a longer shelf life as compared to shredded coconut.

Desiccated coconut is finely ground coconut, rather than bigger strips. This is also usually drier than shredded coconut. Unlike coconut flour, though, desiccated coconut maintains the fat content – so they can't be used interchangeably.

Do red lentils get mushy when cooked? Yes, red lentils are supposed to get mushy and break down into a puree-like texture when cooked. If you want lentils that retain their shape, try cooking red lentils with a different water ratio (see above) or, better yet, choosing green or brown lentils.

Red Lentils

Red (or yellow) lentils cook much more quickly than any other variety. They become soft and tender after simmering for just 15 minutes! As they cook, they melt and dissolve, creating a delicious creamy texture. Consequently, they're a great choice for adding to thick curries, stews, or an Indian dal.

Red lentils (which cook up to have more of an orange/yellow hue) have a mild, slightly-sweeter flavor. They can range in size and color, and are sold either split or whole. They tend to lose their shape and texture the longer they cook, giving them more of a soft pureed-like consistency.

Can red lentils be overcooked? ›

Bring the water to a boil and keep the heat on medium-high. Steam the lentils for 12-15 minutes until they are tender (you should be able to squish a cooked lentil between your fingers). Make sure not to overcook. Your lentils will turn mushy if overcooked, so keep an eye on the timer.