Ethiopian-style Lentils With Yams (or Sweet Potatoes) Recipe - Low-cholesterol.Food.com (2024)

FAQs

Are lentils and sweet potatoes good for you? ›

Smoky Lentil Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are a filling, nutritious dinner packed with fiber and plant protein.

Bring to a boil, cover tightly, reduce heat and simmer until they are tender. For whole lentils, cook time is typically 15-20 minutes. For split red lentils, cook time is typically only about 5-7 minutes. Be sure to season with salt after cooking – if salt is added before, the lentils will become tough.

Yes, you can overcook lentils; they will become mushy. Much depends on the type of lentil you're using. Some cook quicker and hold their shape better than others. To avoid overcooking them, always follow the cooking directions in your recipe and use the type of lentils called for in the ingredient list.

Lesson 2 – The best way to prepare canned lentils is to pour boiling water over them. This has the double benefits of removing the gluey juices and warming them up a little so they are able to absorb your dressing.

Research shows that sweet potatoes can lower your LDL "bad" cholesterol, which may lower your odds of heart problems. Macular degeneration. Large amounts of beta-carotene and vitamin A, which are in sweet potatoes, can lower your chances of getting this eye disease, which is the most common cause of vision loss.

Both sweet potatoes and yams are nutritious, albeit completely different vegetables. They are both good to eat as a part of a healthy diet and neither is particularly nutritiously superior to the other. That being said, sweet potatoes contain more vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, and protein.

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.

Yes, soaking lentils improves the absorption of zinc, calcium, iron and protein, as well as reduces the phytic acid and tannins. Also, soaking lentils will make them palatable and softer and absorb more protein and minerals.

I toss them with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, fresh herbs, and red pepper flakes to make a nutritious side dish or base for plant-based bowls.

While not rinsing lentils may not pose an immediate safety risk, it is generally recommended to rinse them before cooking to ensure a cleaner and more enjoyable meal. If you have already cooked the soup, you can still enjoy it, but be mindful of any potential debris or grit that may be present.

What to pair with lentils? ›

If you have a few root vegetables hanging out in your fridge, those are also great with lentils, like in this warm lentil and root vegetable salad with parsnips and carrots. Lentils are particularly nice with cheese, as in this grilled halloumi and lentil salad.

Lentils are a nutritious choice

They are also naturally low in fat and sodium (salt). Lentils are considered a plant-based protein. Canada's Food Guide recommends choosing more plant-based proteins to help prevent diseases like heart disease and cancer. Dried lentils have no sodium (salt) but canned lentils often do.

While canned are good for ready-to-eat uses such as a quick salad or side dish, the dried version works well for soups and stews, salads, and sides. A bag of dried lentils can really last forever, but they are best used within a year of purchase (or by the date printed on the package).

Eating more lentils may help people maintain a healthy weight or lose weight. Replacing energy-dense (or high calorie) foods with legumes such as lentils can help people prevent or manage obesity and lose weight. Research suggests that regularly eating lentils may help with the management and prevention of diabetes.

Lentils have plenty of folate, iron and vitamin B1, which also support your heart health. Lentils may be associated with a lower risk of heart disease, by lowering bad cholesterol and blood pressure. One study found that eating lentils led to greater reductions in blood pressure than eating chickpeas, peas or beans.

They're high in fiber and antioxidants, which protect your body from free radical damage and promote a healthy gut and brain. They're also incredibly rich in beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A to support good vision and your immune system.

Absolutely. Besides their health benefits, sweet potatoes are a great addition to any weight loss diet. First up, they're very high in fibre — especially soluble fibre. Soluble fibre is excellent because it slows down your digestion and helps you feel full, which can curb the urge to snack between meals.