Tips for cooking lentils?

FelineOverLord

As it says on the tin really:D I've only cooked lentils twice, the first time I used tinned ones and yesterday I used dried red ones in a recipe that said they should be cooked in about 30 minutes, but even after 50 minutes they still weren't as cooked as I'd like. Any tips on the best way of cooking them would be appreciated.:)

Hani Kosti

Don't add any salt while cooking as it slows the cooking process
Slow cooker is an option too, really like them with some veg

blatantrereg

Soaking them reduces the cooking time a lot and also makes them more nutritious by reducing phytic acid content.

I make dal with loads of garlic and ginger, tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, onion, coconut milk and a few other things.

Green Saffron red lentil dal spice mix is available in some supermarkets and is delicious but high in salt. My approach is an attempt to emulate it without the salt. It does take a lot of prep and cooking time whichever way I've done it, but it's just as good reheated as fresh and can be frozen, so I do very large batches as a time in a giant pot.

Hani Kosti

Oh dhal, think I want some now!!!
+1 on the soaking, remember to change the water before cooking!

Tar.Aldarion

Always rinse them well before cooking, I don't soak them, I rinse them and put them in a pot to be turned into dal.