Do lentils need to be soaked?
Everything I have read says that you do not need to soak lentils like you would beans. Unfortunately the last several times I have cooked lentils they have seemed a little chalky.
Should I be soaking my lentils before I cook them?
Best Answer
No, it's not necessary. You can do it, and if you'd soak them for about an hour, the cooking time will diminish strongly (half).
I'm not sure if this would affect the chalky taste. Which kind of lentils do you use?
Pictures about "Do lentils need to be soaked?"
Quick Answer about "Do lentils need to be soaked?"
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.How long should you soak lentils before cooking?
Pour your lentils in a large pot and cover them with cold water. Allow to soak for at least 4 hours or overnight and up to 24 hours for best results. Then drain the water and give the lentils another quick rinse with fresh, cold water. At this point, you can proceed to cook your lentils however you desire.Does soaking lentils do anything?
Soaking lentils and legumes is not just great for better nutrient absorption, but it also helps in stimulating Amylase, which is a molecule that helps in breaking the complex starch in lentils and legumes, making them easier to digest.Should I soak lentils before making soup?
The other good news: Lentils don't need to soak as beans do (though you do need to sort and rinse them before cooking). That's two reasons why lentil soup is such a winner. Different types of lentils cook in different amounts of time. Some, like red lentils, dissolve as they cook and make for a smooth soup.should you soak lentils before cooking
More answers regarding do lentils need to be soaked?
Answer 2
You should probably be soaking your lentils, but it depends on what type. Soaking expands and softens the lentils, which may be the effect if you're going for something like dal (yellow lentils).
Lentils are high in phytates, which is an anti-nutritional - it's undigestible, and makes certain important minerals unabsorbable, like zinc, iron, calcium, and magnesium. Soaking (and throwing away the water!) helps to remove many of these phytates.
If you're getting a chalky taste, perhaps you haven't cooked them for long enough? They can be rather chalky or bitter if undercooked.
Answer 3
I would suggest that you try getting puy lentils. They are a French green lentil that have a great taste and texture like a bean . You do have to soak them and they will increase in size .They don't turn to mush like the split pea lentil.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Anna Tarazevich, Julia Volk, Ahmed akacha, Ahmed akacha