Yakisoba with vegetables, fried noodles served with colourful vegetables Vegetable Yakisoba Shogayaki with mirin, chicken marinated in soy sauce, served with sesame seeds and spring onions Shogayaki with Mirin Achari paneer tikka grilled paneer pieces seasoned in yoghurt marinade, served with fresh coriander and lemon Achari Paneer Tikka Yorkshire pudding with rosemary, served fresh Yorkshire Pudding with Rosemary Fish Vatapá with ginger, with coconut milk and nuts Fish Vatapá with Ginger Classic version of tulumba, soaked in syrup and served fresh Classic Tulumba Prebiotic leek and pumpkin pie, a delicious savoury pie with pumpkin and leek filling Prebiotic leek & pumpkin pie Menestra with broccoli, pasta and vegetables served in a rich sauce Menestra with broccoli and pasta Tinda sabzi, spicy tinda Indian style, served with rich spices and fresh coriander Spiced tinda masala Chocolate Sandesh, sweet Indian dessert, decorated with chocolate and pistachios Chocolate Sandesh Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters golden brown, served Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters Milanesa napolitana with ham rich cheese tomato sauce and crispy breading Milanesa napolitana with ham Manakish with leeks served with sesame seeds Manakish with leeks Chicken Kabsa, spiced rice garnished with toasted almonds Chicken kabsa Galaktoboureko with kataifi pastry, decorated with rich creamy filling and pistachios. Galaktoboureko with Kataifi Pastry Cheese Dhokla served as golden brown, cheesy pieces with fresh spices Cheese dhokla Gluten-free cannoli pastries served sprinkled with sugar Gluten-free cannoli Prawn Açorda, fresh bread pieces with prawns, garlic and parsley Prawn açorda Avial with sweet potato and coconut milk, fresh coriander Avial with sweet potato Curry dish with yellow ackee fruit and chickpeas Jamaican ackee & chickpea curry Yakisoba with vegetables, fried noodles served with colourful vegetables Vegetable Yakisoba Shogayaki with mirin, chicken marinated in soy sauce, served with sesame seeds and spring onions Shogayaki with Mirin Achari paneer tikka grilled paneer pieces seasoned in yoghurt marinade, served with fresh coriander and lemon Achari Paneer Tikka Yorkshire pudding with rosemary, served fresh Yorkshire Pudding with Rosemary Fish Vatapá with ginger, with coconut milk and nuts Fish Vatapá with Ginger Classic version of tulumba, soaked in syrup and served fresh Classic Tulumba Prebiotic leek and pumpkin pie, a delicious savoury pie with pumpkin and leek filling Prebiotic leek & pumpkin pie Menestra with broccoli, pasta and vegetables served in a rich sauce Menestra with broccoli and pasta Tinda sabzi, spicy tinda Indian style, served with rich spices and fresh coriander Spiced tinda masala Chocolate Sandesh, sweet Indian dessert, decorated with chocolate and pistachios Chocolate Sandesh Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters golden brown, served Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters Milanesa napolitana with ham rich cheese tomato sauce and crispy breading Milanesa napolitana with ham Manakish with leeks served with sesame seeds Manakish with leeks Chicken Kabsa, spiced rice garnished with toasted almonds Chicken kabsa Galaktoboureko with kataifi pastry, decorated with rich creamy filling and pistachios. Galaktoboureko with Kataifi Pastry Cheese Dhokla served as golden brown, cheesy pieces with fresh spices Cheese dhokla Gluten-free cannoli pastries served sprinkled with sugar Gluten-free cannoli Prawn Açorda, fresh bread pieces with prawns, garlic and parsley Prawn açorda Avial with sweet potato and coconut milk, fresh coriander Avial with sweet potato Curry dish with yellow ackee fruit and chickpeas Jamaican ackee & chickpea curry
Different coloured lentil varieties in ceramic bowls on a wooden table
Coloured Lentil Varieties in Natural Light

Lentils: The Queen of Plant Protein – Nutrition, Benefits, and Recipes

Ingredients Grains and Pulses

Description

Lentils (Lens culinaris) are one of the oldest cultivated legumes, remaining a fundamental element of conscious nutrition today due to their outstanding nutritional value. Numerous varieties exist – brown, green, red, black – possessing different textures and cooking times.

Lentils are an excellent source of plant protein, fibre, iron, and folate. Low in fat, gluten-free, and with a low glycaemic index, they are a superb choice for diabetics, vegetarians, athletes, and those managing weight.

Benefits of Lentils

  • Protein: An excellent plant-based protein source.
  • Fibre: Promotes digestion and lowers cholesterol levels.
  • Folate: Important for cell division; highly recommended during pregnancy.
  • Iron: Aids oxygen transport and energy maintenance.
  • Magnesium and Potassium: Support cardiovascular health.

Regular consumption of lentils can contribute to blood sugar stabilisation, cardiovascular protection, and providing a long-lasting feeling of fullness.

Culinary Uses

Lentils are remarkably versatile: used for stews, soups, salads, sides, patties, pâtés, or curries. Red lentils cook quickly into a creamy consistency, whilst green and brown lentils hold their shape, making them ideal for salads and casseroles. New Year's lentils traditionally bring good luck!

Storage and Buying Advice

  • Select clean, undamaged grains.
  • Stored in a dry, cool place, they keep for a long time.
  • Cooked, they last 3–5 days in the fridge, or up to 3 months frozen.

Lentils are not only delicious and filling but possess excellent nutritional physiological properties. Worth incorporating into the weekly diet – a varied, healthy, and cost-effective ingredient.

Recipes with this Ingredient

Sambar served with carrots, spicy and mouth-watering Indian dish Soups

Carrot sambar
Vegan courgette bake with tomato sauce Main Courses

Vegan Courgette Bake
Butternut squash lentil soup served Quick Meals

Butternut squash and red lentil soup
Lentil salad with roasted beetroot served Salads

Roasted beetroot and lentil salad
Lentil salad with pomegranate served Quick Meals

Lentil salad with pomegranate and walnuts
Sweet potato and lentil curry served Main Courses

Sweet potato and lentil curry