Red lentils are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at what red lentils are and how they’re produced. We’ll also give you great ideas for recipes and some alternative ingredients
About Red Lentils (Lanti Rouz)
Red lentils are a type of legume that have been cultivated for thousands of years. Indeed, you will find the earliest mentions of this lentil in references from the Middle East. Since then, it has expanded its reach to become a table in India and Africa.
In Mauritius, the locals know it as lanti rouz. And it is a very popular ingredient in Kreol cuisine. This type of Mauritian cuisine is heavily influenced by African cuisine and bears similarities to dishes in New Orleans and Haiti.
To produce lanti rouz, you have to harvest mature pods from the Lens culinaris plant. Then, you clean, dry and hull the pods to remove the outer shell.
Using Lanti Rouz
Red lentils are easy to cook and can be used in a variety of dishes. To cook red lentils, simply rinse them in a fine mesh sieve and then add them to a pot with water or broth.
Bring the liquid to a boil and reduce the heat. Then, let the lentils simmer until they’re tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Since these lentils cook quickly (usually in about 15-20 minutes), you’ll want to keep an eye on them and stir occasionally.
Red lentils are a popular ingredient in many vegetarian and vegan dishes, as they provide a good source of protein and fibre. Some common recipes that use this ingredient include soups, curries and stews. Moreover, you can also use this type of lentil to make lentil burgers or to add protein to pasta dishes.
Alternatives to Red Lentils
If you can’t get your hands on this particular lanti, there are several other types you can try. Suitable alternatives include green lentils, Brown Lentils (Lanti Nwar) and French lentils (a variety of green lentils).
In addition to those, you can also use other types of legumes, such as chickpeas, black beans or kidney beans.
Favourite Recipes
Here are some of our favourite recipes using lanti rouz.
Lanti Rouz
