Remind me to never...
Posted by soleilune on Feb 06, 2011 · Member since Aug 2004 · 20 posts
... use red lentils to make lentil & spinach curry again. I usually use brown lentils, but decided to make use of the red ones for a change of pace. The red ones have completely disintegrated. :( I know they're quick cooking but the dal simmered on low for less than an hour. I've never had this happen before, but now I know if a want a thick pureed soup red lentils are the ones to use. I'm sticking with my beloved brown ones otherwise.
Ah well, it'll still taste good. ;)b
I learned that lesson myself. My red lentils turn yellow and into mush...I never use them when I want a hearty dish.
Do not despair! It took me a couple of tries to learn to cook red lentils. They either stuck and burned or turned to mush. But I have learned and they are now my favourites for the spinach or sweet potato dahls. No way do they need an hour to cook, it's more like 20-30 min. Sometimes when I'm multitasking, I will let them cook for a scant 20, turn the fire off, throw a teatowel over the covered pot and let them "finish" in their own heat. One of the reasons I love them is that they are so quick-cooking.
They aren't supposed to turn to mush? I thought that was the appeal of them, that they made really smooth soups and dal.
They aren't supposed to turn to mush? I thought that was the appeal of them, that they made really smooth soups and dal.
Well, there's mush and mush. I think I know what they mean. Mush with no personality to it is just awful. Not-quite-cooked to death lentils still have some texture to them.
I like the mush sometimes, but as a substitute for brown/green in dishes like spinach curry or other lentil dishes, it shouldn't be done.
Red lentils always get kinda mushy for me, but I like it that way. You can definitely not substitute them for brown or green like my dawg Tweety has already stated.
You just can't cook them as long. I don't cook mine for more than about 10 minutes to avoid the mushiness... unless of course you want them to be mushy. The quick cooking of red lentils is an advantage to me, so I favor them over any other kind.