Making a delicious, nutritious green lentil dish with an Aroma rice cooker is a straightforward dining experience that won’t require hours of kitchen time. In just a few easy steps, prepare an Asian-inspired side dish, perfect for dinner when paired with cooked meat and vegetables. Plus, the aroma of cooked lentils will bring an inviting and tantalizing smell to your home.

What You’ll Need

To get started, you’ll need one Aroma Digital Rice Cooker, 1 cup of dried green lentils, 2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth, and optional seasonings like curry powder and garlic powder. Don’t forget a measuring cup and spoon to precisely measure the dry ingredients.

You’ll also need a large bowl to mix the ingredients together before adding them to the rice cooker. Additionally, you may want to have a spoon or spatula on hand to stir the ingredients while they are cooking.

Preparing the Lentils

The key to making this dish is to ensure the lentils are well prepared before they are cooked. Therefore, inspect the lentils and remove any pebbles or dirt particles. Rinse the lentils in cold water and strain them. Heed to the cooking instructions on the package and set aside.

Once the lentils are prepared, you can begin to cook them. Heat a pot over medium heat and add a tablespoon of oil. Add the lentils and stir them for a few minutes until they are lightly toasted. Then, add the desired amount of water or broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the lentils for the recommended amount of time. Once the lentils are cooked, season them with salt and pepper to taste.

Adding the Ingredients to the Rice Cooker

Once you’ve gathered everything, it’s time to add it all to the Aroma rice cooker. Measure the 1 cup of lentils and pour them into the bowl. Also pour in 2 cups of broth. Add seasonings according to personal preference.

Next, add the diced vegetables to the bowl. If you are using frozen vegetables, make sure to thaw them first. If you are using fresh vegetables, make sure to wash and chop them before adding them to the bowl. Once all the ingredients are in the bowl, close the lid and set the timer.

Cooking the Lentils

Registration is a breeze with your Aroma cooker. With the push of a button, set to the ‘Lentil’ setting on the digital control panel. Place the lid on top and select either ‘Start’ or ‘Set’ according to your model’s instructions. At this point, your cooker will begin preheating and heating up liquid. When it signals that cooking is finished, remove the lid and stir. If necessary, re-season the lentils.

Once the lentils are cooked, you can serve them as is or use them in a variety of recipes. Lentils are a great source of protein and fiber, and can be used in soups, salads, and even as a side dish. You can also add them to casseroles, curries, and other dishes for a nutritious and delicious meal.

Tips for Perfectly Cooked Lentils

Since green lentils hold up much better than other lentil varieties, they are best cooked when the liquid from the broth is completely absorbed into the dish. To make sure your extended cooking time doesn’t leave them mushy and soft, set the cooker on ‘low’ for extra creamy texture. An additional tip is to sprinkle a tablespoon of butter or olive oil on top before serving. The combination of these ingredients will create a unique flavor.

If you are looking for a more intense flavor, try adding a few cloves of garlic or a teaspoon of cumin to the lentils while they are cooking. This will give the dish a more robust flavor and will also add a bit of spice. Additionally, you can also add a few tablespoons of tomato paste to the lentils for a more savory flavor.

Serving Suggestions

Green lentils make a delicious side dish and can be paired with many types of main dishes. Meat, sauce-based dishes like lasagna, stuffed peppers or egg rolls are complete entrées when accompanied with cooked lentils. Mixed vegetable dishes also pair wonderfully with green lentils.

Green lentils can also be used to make a variety of soups and stews. Lentil soup is a classic dish that can be made with a variety of vegetables and spices. Lentils can also be added to chili or stew for a hearty and nutritious meal. For a lighter option, try adding cooked lentils to a salad for a protein-packed lunch.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If your lentils are not cooked thoroughly after a “Lentil” cycle, it’s simply because all rice cookers heat differently. In this case experiment with cooking times between 10 minutes to 30 minutes. As you get familiar with your Aroma Digital Rice Cooker and green lentils, you’ll start to get an idea of which time and temperature combinations work best for you.