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Lentils: Versatile,
Healthy, and Delicious
 With
26% protein, lentil is the vegetable with the highest
level of protein other than soybeans, and because of
this it is a very important part of the diet in many
parts of the world -- especially India which has a large
vegetarian population.
A variety of
lentils exist with colors that range from yellow to
red-orange to green, brown, and black. Red, white, and
yellow lentils are decorticated, i.e. they have their
skins removed. One variety of yellow lentils, Chana, is
in fact made from the kernels of chickpeas.
Apart from a
high level of proteins, lentils also contain dietary
fiber, vitamin B1, and minerals. Red (or pink) lentils
contain a lower concentration of fiber than green
lentils (11% rather than 31%). Health magazine has
selected lentils as one of the five healthiest foods.
In addition
to providing slow-burning complex carbohydrates, lentils
are one of the best vegetable sources of iron. This
makes them an important part of a vegetarian diet, and
useful for preventing iron deficiency.
Like other
legumes, lentils are low in fat and high in protein and
fiber, but they have the added advantage of cooking
quickly. Lentils do not need pre-soaking. Simply remove
any debris, then rinse and boil them. Red lentils take
only twenty minutes, green lentils take 30 to 45
minutes, and brown lentils cook in 45 to 60 minutes. Do
not add salt to cooking lentils, as this may toughen
them. Like beans, lentils will keep almost indefinitely
in a cool, dry place. Their colors may fade slightly
after long storage, but their flavor and nutrition
won’t. Lentils are the perfect way to add protein, fiber
and all the antioxidant benefits of this food group to
any meal.
Lentils available for purchase
at the Phipps Online Country Store
Recipe:
Palak Dal (using
Chana Dal)
Source:
Wikipedia.org
About Phipps
Country Store and Farm
The heart of the farm is the Country Store which began
in 1978 as an old garage building with a dirt floor, a
picnic table for the countertop, and a cigar box for the
cash register. The store was opened by some of the
Phipps children, Darcy, Joseph, and James. It was good
for them to learn the art of selling produce from the
farm and it kept them occupied during the Summer months.
 As time went by, the store was changed and expanded to
its present state which in addition to the produce area
now has a bean room, herb and spice room, and a plant
nursery as well as beautiful herb and flower gardens all
around the store. Beyond the store is a barnyard where
our farm animals and all kinds of birds live year round.
The store is the hub of this farm where people are
welcome to come and feel the heartbeat of life in the
country.
The Phipps
Online Country Store sells many of the
products sold at the farm Country Store, including
beans, soup mixes, jams, spices, grains, flours, rice,
and honey. Orders can be placed right here online or, if
you prefer, mailed or faxed using our convenient
printable order form.
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