I don't know what other lentils are like, I like the yellow ones [tuvar], red ones [masoor] and pale yellow oval ones [moong]. Sometimes I use the white oval ones [udad] to make idlis and dosas, along with rice. I get Indian lentils everywhere I've been so I never bothered with any other kind.
They are between 60-70 rupees a kilo in Mumbai, which compared to chicken [>100], beef [>120], goats meat [>200] and fish [>300] is the cheapest form of protein available.
There is no such thing as "plain" rice. There is kolam rice [of which the one we use is from Surat, called Surti Kolam], which is between 30 and 40 rupees a kg, ambemohar rice, which is around 40-50 rupees and basmati rice, which is between 80-120 rupees a kg. I prefer the ambemohar rice, the grains are small and fine and it smells like mango blossoms.
Its real basmati, the kind that lets teh whole neighborhood know its being cooked. Its extremely long and fine, but not very soft, unlike the kolam rice which is very soft and easy to chew basmati rice: Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! There are also other variants of rice like silky, sona masoori and jasmine rice. But we use these three varieties.
I got it at the deli counter. I have no idea how to cook it. It reminded me of barley. Quite chewy with a nutty flavour.
? the lentil soups I have had have been slightly thicker looking than the pictures you have posted.( but probably as tasty)
I eat lentils a fair bit and the easiest thing for me, is to just substitute the meat for lentils. I usually make stir fries with lentils. Also, I havn't tried these yet, but I've got a few good recipies in my vegetarian cookbook that I've been meaning to try. There's a recipe for a lentil bolognese, and a lentil, shallot and mushroom pie. They both look so good, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it haha.
Lentils are a staple food for me as a vegetarian- I have a pot of lentil soup I made two days ago in the fridge as we speak. Saute onions, peppers and garlic with some oil, add lentils and water; salt and pepper- cook for an hour plus and you're good to go. Something I was thinking about last night was veggie chili. Make kidney beans and add tomato sauce and all kinds of veggies. Add chili powder and you're good to go. I always add a tablespoon of peanut butter in the end to give it some thickness.
Spinach is my favorite leafy green and it's always the green in my salads. But I agree, cooked spinach is one of the yuckiest flavors on Earth. And the texture... geeze there are no words to describe it. As if I could talk while gagging.
