Did you know that rice cookers have many other uses along with cooking rice? You can cook many other grains in the rice cooker. If you are also bored of eating the same rice dishes and wanna try something new, delicious, and healthy then there are many dishes that you can make in a rice cooker. Now the question arises what grain should you consider, so the best option will be lentils. The great thing about lentils is that they are tasty, healthy, and are packed with nutrients. In this blog we are going to tell you the How To Cook Lentils In A Rice Cooker, so read this full blog to get the complete information.
What are Lentils and what are their benefits?
A lentil is a grain from the legume plant. Lentil is known as the third highest plant-based protein component which is not only high in protein but also they are packed with a wide variety of nutrients per ½ cup. These nutrients include:
- 9 grams of protein
- 20 grams of Carbohydrate
- 8 grams of fiber
- 1 gram of Fat
- 3.3 mg of iron
- 1.27 mg of zinc
- 369 mg of potassium
- And it is also a good source of vitamin B
Lentils are not just a good option for healthy eating but also they could be a great swap for regular rice alone or in a recipe.
How to Cook Lentils in a Rice Cooker?
So here is the easy process to cook lentils in a rice cooker as mentioned below stepwise:
Things Needed
- One cup of lentils
- Two Cups purified water
- Strainer
- Spoon
- Bowl
Steps to cook
1. Firstly, rinse the lentils thoroughly just as you wash rice before cooking. Use Clean and purified water while washing and wash it until it is dirt-free.
2. After that for every cup of lentils, you need to add two cups of water. For example, if I am cooking 1 cup of lentils then I’ll add 2 cups of purified water into the rice cooker.
3. Then you can add seasonings if you want. Lentils are stellar at absorbing flavors so you can add your favoriteflavors like bay leaves, some olive oil, turmeric powder, chili powder, or garlic. But remember, do not add salt and acids as these can make lentils tougher, and then it will be hard to cook them.
4. Finally, mix the lentils and water thoroughly before cooking and place the rice cooker for approximately 40 minutes to cook.
Types and Colors of Lentils
Lentils came in a variety of types and different colors from black and brown to yellow and pink. So, they all will give different results but you can cook them in the same way in a rice cooker. The following are some points which you need to remember while cooking them.
Black lentils have an earthy taste in comparison to other lentils so it would be better if you add some more seasoning.
Brown lentils have a mild paste so they will need to be spruced up with seasonings.
Green lentils are smaller in size so you have to cook them for an additional 2 to 3 minutes for best results.
Red lentils cannot hold their shape due to their thin and soft makeup so they are best used in thick soups or purees.
Pink lentils tend to break down so they are also best for soups and stews.
Yellow lentils are similar to red lentils, just the color is different but they are used for the same purpose.
The final words
It is great to add lentils to any diet as they can easily be substituted in any rice dish. Furthermore, it is very easy to cook them in a rice cooker. As you simply have to remember, for every cup of lentil you have to add 2 cups of liquid and it will be cooked in 40 minutes. We hope that this article helped you and you have understood the use of lentils and how to cook them in a rice cooker properly.