The Perfect Lentils

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry lentils (Organic if possible; rinse well before soaking and rinse again after soaking.)
• 0.5 cup vegetable broth
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• 2 tsp onion powder
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp olive oil
• salt (To taste.)
• black pepper (To taste.)

Steps

1. 1

   Rinse the dry lentils thoroughly under cool running water, checking for any debris. Transfer them to a bowl and cover generously with water. Soak overnight, about 8 hours.

2. 2

   Drain the soaked lentils and rinse them thoroughly once more.

3. 3

   Place the rinsed lentils in a heatproof bowl. Add the vegetable broth, dried parsley, onion powder, garlic powder, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the lentils and seasonings are evenly combined.

4. 4

   Place the bowl in the steamer pan where vegetables would normally be placed. Cover the steamer with its lid and steam for 20–30 minutes, until the lentils are tender but still hold their shape. Check near the 20-minute mark and continue steaming if needed.

5. 5

   Remove the bowl from the steamer, taste the lentils, and adjust the salt and pepper if necessary. Serve warm.

Notes

The recipe uses an overnight soak followed by steaming to help produce consistently tender lentils. The source does not specify the lentil variety; cooking time may vary slightly depending on the type and age of the lentils.

Nutrition per serving

• side dish
• vegan
• vegetarian
• dairy-free
• gluten-free
• steamed
• make-ahead
• plant-based