Growing up, I did not understand the power of vegetables. Unless it was one of the immediately familiar varieties my mother would cook with, I didn’t want anything to do with them. Needless to say, lentils (yes, they’re technically a vegetable!) were never at the top of my list — that is until I grew up and realized the fateful mistakes of my picky past.
Over the years, I’ve learned to appreciate not only the health benefits of vegetables, but the flavor benefits, too. Lentils have championed their way back to the top of my internal food pyramid where they have found a comfortable home amongst familiar favorites. Whenever I get the itch to cook with my new favorite misunderstood legume, Trader Joe’s has the only canned variety I prefer to use.
Simply Recipes / Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s Canned Lentils
Price: $0.99 for a 15-ounce can
Why I Love It: This versatile pantry staple is great for adding to soups, stews, salads, and more. Unlike other canned versions, it has a simple ingredient list — just lentils, water, and sea salt.
What I Love About Trader Joe’s Canned Lentils
For starters, any product that retails for 99 cents is automatically a deal in my book. Trader Joe’s canned lentils not only hit the correct price mark, but unlike other canned varieties, TJ’s lentil recipe is extremely simple: lentils, water, and sea salt. This makes cooking with these earthy, nutty legumes easier than ever. Another area where lentils hit the mark for me is in their health benefits. Lentils are energy-dense, low in sodium, and packed with potassium and fiber.
How I Cook With TJ’s Lentils
Because of their naturally mild, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor, the taste of lentils can vary based on how they are cooked. I prefer to lean into their rich and robust profile by adding lentils to my favorite vegetable soups and stews. It is important, however, to cut their naturally rich flavor with something acidic such as canned diced tomatoes or tomato paste. A splash of lemon juice added at the end can also do wonders by adding more brightness to the dish.
If you’re just beginning your lentil experimentation at home, I recommend cooking them first with the vegetables you love most. My favorite lentil-veggie pairings have included carrots, onions, celery, cucumbers, bell peppers, butternut squash, and leafy greens such as kale, spinach, and Swiss chard.
Mushrooms and herbs go extremely well with lentils too, as do hearty proteins such as chorizo. In terms of spices, you can’t go wrong with a little bit of cumin, turmeric, and curry powder. I prefer to complete the meal with white or brown rice; however, quinoa and pasta are also excellent choices when rounding out a delicious lentil-based meal.
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