Lentils Are Loaded With Good Stuff

I told my second son that I wanted to blog about lentils and he told me to get a life. He doesn't quite get that this is my life.  

For sure lentils are not the latest "it food" like, let's say, quinoa. In fact, they have been around so long they even get a shout out in the Old Testament. But still, I feel they are worth mentioning because they are seriously underutilized on Long Island today.  

Lentils are a super cheap vegetarian source of protein.  A one pound bag cost me 79 cents last night at They are also an excellent source of fiber, folate, B1 and iron. My weight loss clients who have the best results typically eat less animal protein and more vegetable protein, such as lentils.

The question becomes not why you should eat lentils, but how. They are super easy to prepare. The general rule is 1 cup of dry lentils to 2 cups of water or broth. Bring to a boil in a sauce pan, then simmer covered until soft, about 45 minutes to an hour.  Last night I sauteed a chopped onion and some garlic in olive oil before adding the lentils. When my son came home he said, "Mom, what smells so good and can I have some." 

It's lentils, and yes, you can.