What to eat with Indian madras lentils?

Perfect for vegetarians and a great source of protein, Madras Lentils are a comforting and satisfying meal that pairs wonderfully with rice or naan bread . Get ready to savour the exotic flavours of India in the comfort of your own kitchen!

Are madras lentils healthy?

Are Madras Lentils Healthy? Madras lentils are loaded with protein and fiber . They're vegetarian and certainly on the healthy side.

What are lentils called on an Indian menu?

Though often translated as lentils, dals are actually any split pulses (legumes). A pulse refers to the dry, edible seed of the pod. This includes beans, lentils, peas, and other little seeds in lentils or beans. So, any split legume is considered a dal in Indian culture.

What is Madras in Indian cooking?

Madras curry or Madras sauce is a curry sauce . Madras is orange in colour and is made with heavy use of chili powder. Raita is often used as an accompaniment to the dish. Madras curry sauce.

Which color lentil is healthiest?

Black Lentils (Beluga lentils) Best of all, black lentils are the most nutritious variety of lentils, boasting the highest amount of protein, plus high levels of calcium, potassium, and iron.

How long do Madras lentils last?

However, studies have shown that our products remain shelf-stable up to 18 months after the date noted on the package or 36 months from manufacture . Please note the package shows a "best by" date and not an expiration date. However, we do not guarantee the product after the date on the pouch.

Are Madras lentils good for diabetics?

All lentils and legumes are extremely healthy. They are high in protein and are not only good for diabetes but also prevent cardiovascular problems. “A diabetic patient's diet needs to be naturally high in nutrients, low in calories, and include complex carbohydrates.

What do you eat lentils with?

Lentils are great in soups, as an addition to salads, and as a vegetarian protein source in recipes traditionally made with meat . Similar to rice, lentils take on whatever flavors you add to the pot. Instead of plain water, cook lentils in a broth or stock.

Are Madras Lentils gluten free?

Tasty Bite Madras Lentils, along with their other 1-Step, 1-minute microwavable pouch products, boast a gluten-free label on some of their offerings, but notice the disclaimer at the bottom of the label.

Which lentil is lowest in calories?

Urad dal or black lentil is one of the most nutritious pulses known to mankind. Low in fat and calories, Urad dal helps to improve digestion. With it being a rich source of protein and vitamin B3, it makes our bones stronger and is said to boost energy levels, enhance heart health and strengthen our nervous system.

What to serve with Trader Joe's Madras lentils?

It goes great with rice, and I'm certain it would pair up nicely with Indian naan bread .

What do you pair lentils with?

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.

What are lentils good to eat with?

Lentils are great in soups, as an addition to salads, and as a vegetarian protein source in recipes traditionally made with meat .

Instant Pot Madras Lentils Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (2024)

August 14, 2018Van

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Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 43 minutes

Serves: 6

Costco Samples have a magical way of influencing our eating habits. On a routine shopping trip my daughter tried a sample cup of Tasty Bites Madras Lentils—and proceeded to talk about them the entire trip. I reluctantly conceded and went back to purchase the package of pouches—thinking I’d be lucky to use just half of them. Within a week my kids had devoured these super nutritious and tasty lentil packages. If you’ve never tried this before, it’s based on a famous Indian dish called dal makhani, but the Tasty Bites version has been simplified for the western palate – it’s very much like your standard bean chili with a slight kick from the kashmiri chilli powder and added richness from the butter and cream.

As a diehard do-it-yourselfer , I began playing with ways of replicating this delicious dish to much success. In fact—most of the ingredients are quite basic and are probably in your pantry right now! The only two items I had to order was Whole Black Gram Lentils (purchase here) and Kashmiri Chilli Powder (purchase here). The black gram lentils are quite different from green, red or beluga lentils, they hold their shape well and stand up to the same cooking time as the red kidney beans, so these can’t be substituted. Kashmiri Chilli Powder is a bright red mild chilli powder, adds great flavor and color to this dish. My kids love having it with Trader Joe’s Garlic Naan or you can also serve it over basmati rice for a delicious high protein vegetarian meal.

Be sure to click on the accessories list below to get the most out of your Instant Pot.

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Instant Pot Madras Lentils Recipe (Copycat of Tasty Bites Madras Lentils)

August 14, 2018Van

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 43 minutes

Serves: 6

www.foodisafourletterword.com

Ingredients

1 Cup Whole Black Gram Lentils / Urad Whole
⅔ Cup Red Kidney Beans
2 Tablespoons Sunflower Oil, or other neutral tasting oil
4 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
1 Teaspoon Kashmiri Chilli Powder, or substitute with 1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
8 oz Tomato Sauce, or 2 Medium Tomatoes diced
½ Medium Onion, diced
2 Garlic Cloves, minced
2 Teaspoons Kosher Salt
3½ Cups Water
3 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons Heavy Cream

Method

1)
Add 2 Tablespoons of Oil to the pot and choose the Sauté option on the Instant Pot and select the “high” setting. Once the display shows “hot” add 4 Teaspoons of Ground Cumin, 1 Teaspoon Kashmiri Chilli Powder, give it a quick stir then add the diced Onions and minced Garlic. Stir constantly for 1 Minute. Add the 8oz of Tomato Sauce and scrape the bottom to ensure nothing is stuck. Press Cancel to turn off Sauté mode.
2)
Add 1 Cup of Whole Black Gram Lentils, ⅔ Cup of Red Kidney Beans, 2 Teaspoons of Kosher Salt and 3½ Cups Water, give it a quick stir then seal the Instant Pot lid and make sure the knob is set to Sealing. Choose High Pressure / Manual on the Instant Pot and set it for 43 minutes. Once the timer is up, wait 15 minutes while it does a natural pressure release, then switch the knob to Venting to release the rest of the steam. Once the pin drops, open the Instant Pot lid.
3)
Add 3 Tablespoons of Butter and 2 Tablespoons of Heavy Cream, stir well. Taste and season with more salt or Kashmiri Chilli Powder if needed. Serve with basmati rice or naan. Enjoy!

↓ Supplies to make this recipe ↓

21 Comments

Lindsey
September 16, 2018 at 2:52 pm
Do you soak the beans and lentils?
Reply
1. Van
  September 16, 2018 at 3:25 pm
  Hi Lindsey, no you don’t have to soak the beans and lentils – that’s why I love making any beans in the IP, you don’t have to soak them ahead of time.
  Reply
Eman
July 7, 2019 at 9:00 am
Thank you. This tastes exactly like the Tasty Bite you buy in stores. I let mine boil down a little to thicken it up. At first, I only did 1/2 teaspoon of the Kashmir pepper, but then added the other half. It is perrfect as you have it.
Thanks again.
Reply
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1. Van
  July 7, 2019 at 10:30 am
  Hi Eman, I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe! 😀
  Reply
LeeAnn
October 30, 2019 at 11:52 am
Hi: The redbeans are dry when you are them? Or already cooked?
Reply
1. Van
  October 30, 2019 at 1:26 pm
  Hi LeeAnn, the red beans are dry and unsoaked / uncooked.
  Reply
2. Tracie
  February 22, 2020 at 2:09 pm
  Hi!
  This recipe sounds delicious! Could you tell me how you would make this without an instapot, as I don’t have one! Thanks so much!
  Reply
Rebecca
January 17, 2020 at 5:39 pm
Why did you change the recipe???? Real tomatoes was the best version! Even canned tomatoes was a better option.
Reply
1. Van
  January 21, 2020 at 9:50 pm
  Hi Rebecca, I’ll add it back as an option. I switched to tomato sauce because it was closer to the bagged version.
  Reply
  1. Rebecca
    April 8, 2020 at 2:03 pm
    Thank You so much! I now see that you updated the recipe! I love using the fresh tomatoes and quick soaking the kidney beans since using the fresh tomatoes don’t give you that “extra” liquid to fully cook the kidney beans vs if you use the tomato sauce or canned diced tomatoes! Thank You again for adding that back in as a option!
    Reply
Tracie
February 22, 2020 at 10:30 am
Hi there! This sounds delicious! However I don’t have an instapot. Could you do this recipe without one?
Reply
See Also
27 Healthy Vegetarian Thanksgiving Recipes - Hummusapien
1. Van
  February 23, 2020 at 10:12 pm
  Hi Tracie! Soak the beans overnight, then follow the same instructions using a large pot on the stovetop. Simmer for 45 minutes or until the beans are cooked through. Hope you enjoy!
  Reply
Tracie
February 24, 2020 at 8:18 am
Hi Van!
Thank you! I’m so excited to try this
Reply
Christina
May 7, 2020 at 8:48 am
What can I use to substitute the heavy cream, so not using dairy? Thank you in advance for your time. I am excited to make homemade madras lentils
Reply
1. Van
  June 1, 2020 at 11:48 am
  You can try using coconut cream.
  Reply
kathy
October 23, 2021 at 12:12 am
wanting to make these- but the link where to purchase the Whole Black Gram Lentils doesnt work. Can you help with this and let me know what the brand is?
Thanks
Reply
1. Van
  October 23, 2021 at 7:28 pm
  Hello, you can purchase this one:
  Reply
Marie
November 14, 2021 at 4:01 am
Hi, I want to make double this recipe. How many minutes should I cook for? Also, if the beans have been soaked how many minutes would you suggest cooking either this recipe for and/or a doubled recipe for? Thank you. My kids love tasty bite madras lentils!
Reply
1. Van
  November 14, 2021 at 7:17 am
  Hello, if you double the recipe you’d still keep the same cooking time. Sorry I don’t know what the cooking time would be for soaked beans since I never soak beens when I cook them with the Instant Pot – since that’s an advantage of pressure cooking beans, there’s no need to soak them.
  Reply
CD
October 11, 2022 at 7:34 pm
Thank you!! I love these too, and am doing a plant-based eating (no oil, either). I can’t wait to try this with vegetable stock and using full fat coconut cream in place of the dairy cream. Hubby loves Indian and this is one of our go-to easy meals. ❤️
Reply
C
October 26, 2022 at 10:12 pm
YUM!! I made a vegan version, sautéed with “Better Than Bouillon” instead of oil; put in 1 cup of my homemade bean soup (multi bean soup with onions & herbs) instead of 2/3 cup of red kidneys, didn’t have tomato sauce but dissolved appx 4 oz tomato paste into hot water.
The difference in taste by adding vegan butter (I used Earth Balance spread) & instead of heavy cream used full-fat coconut cream… what an improvement in flavor!
Thank you, Van for sharing! 5 Stars!!
Reply

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Hi everyone! I’m Van, the creator and recipe developer for FOOD is a Four Letter Word. Follow this page for delicious & eclectic recipes. I hope you find something that you enjoy making on here. Subscribe to my YouTube & Instagram below to get updates when I post a new recipe.
-Van

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Instant Pot Madras Lentils Recipe – FOOD is Four Letter Word (2024)

Instant Pot Madras Lentils Recipe (Copycat of Tasty Bites Madras Lentils)

Ingredients

Method

↓ Supplies to make this recipe ↓

21 Comments

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