Mastering the Skill: Cooking Lentils in Rice Cooker
Rice cookers are not just for cooking rice. Using them to cook lentils is also very good. So, how do you cook lentils in a rice cooker? Next, I will tell you the steps in detail.
Can dal be cooked in a rice cooker?
Lentils can be cooked in a rice cooker. This is a simple and practical cooking method.
Specific steps are:
The first step is to wash the lentils and soak them for 4 hours.
The second step is to put the soaked lentils into the rice cooker and add an appropriate amount of clear water to submerge the beans by 2 centimeters.
The third step is to put in a slice of ginger to remove the fishy smell and press the cooking button. Wait for about 40 minutes.
If you want a better taste, you can add diced carrots and potatoes and cook them together.
Why lentils and rice are good together?
In terms of nutrition, lentils and rice can complement each other and are an ideal combination for a healthy diet.
Lentils contain a lot of protein, iron and dietary fiber. Rice mainly provides carbohydrates and vitamin B group. Combining them can not only supply a variety of nutrients needed by the human body, but also help promote the absorption of protein and is helpful for preventing anemia.
In terms of taste, lentils are soft and glutinous, and rice has a fragrant smell. They are quite suitable when combined. Especially, mixing rice with the soup of lentils tastes quite delicious. This combination is quite common in the traditional diets of countries such as India. After practical verification, it is indeed a combination that is both delicious and nutritious.
Do lentils have to be soaked before cooking?
Lentils are not necessarily soaked before cooking, but soaking can indeed bring better cooking results. Soaking can make lentils easier to cook, have a softer taste, and at the same time reduce cooking time.
If there is enough time, it is recommended to soak in normal temperature water for 4 hours. If in a hurry, you can soak in warm water for 2 hours or directly cook in a pressure cooker for 30 minutes.
How many cups of water do you need to soak lentils?
The amount of water needed to soak lentils is three times the volume of the beans. Specifically, 1 cup of dry lentils requires 3 cups of water.
In actual operation, you can use a glass bowl or stainless steel basin. Pour 1 cup of lentils and then add 3 cups of clear water. If you find that there is not enough water, you can add it at any time. The key is to ensure that the water completely covers the beans and the water surface is 2-3 centimeters above the beans.
After soaking for 4-6 hours, the beans will expand to more than twice their original size. At this time, you can pour out the water and prepare for cooking. If you plan to cook it the next day, it is recommended to put the soaked beans and water together in the refrigerator for storage. This can avoid fermentation and spoilage at room temperature.
Does rice cook faster than lentils?
Rice cooks faster than lentils. Generally, it takes only 15 to 20 minutes to cook ordinary rice. Even if lentils are soaked in advance, they still need to be cooked for 25 to 30 minutes. If not soaked, it takes 40 to 45 minutes.
When cooking rice, the amount of water used is usually 1.2 times the amount of rice. First, turn on high heat to boil the water, and then turn to low heat and simmer. For cooking lentils, the amount of water used is about three times that of the beans. Moreover, the water must be kept boiling throughout the cooking process.
If you want to cook rice and lentils at the same time, you can cook lentils for 20 minutes first, and then put in the washed rice. In this way, they can be cooked together, saving time and fuel.
How to choose high-quality lentils?
Judgment by appearance:
When choosing high-quality lentils, there are corresponding requirements in appearance. The color needs to be consistent. There should be no black or moldy spots. And the beans should be complete and there should be no damaged situation.
Consideration of color:
In terms of color, pay special attention: it is best to choose orange-red or maroon lentils because this kind of lentils often tastes better.
Identification of freshness:
Look to see if the beans have a luster. Pinch them with your hand and feel firm. At the same time, there should be no traces of insect damage. Only in this way can they meet the standard of freshness.
