Ingredients
Soaking
- 3/4 cup split red lentils (141g)
- 1 1/2 cups boiling water (355ml)
Consistency
- 2 cups water (473ml) - soft
- 1 1/2 cups water (355ml) - medium
- 1 cup water (237ml) - firm
Optional
- 1 tsp salt or stock powder
Instructions
Basic - Stovetop method
- Soak the red lentils in the boiling water in a cup blender for 5 - 15 minutes.
- Blend until very smooth.
- Transfer to a saucepan with additional water to chosen consistency and any seasonings.
- Cook on low to medium heat stirring constantly until it forms a paste.
- Transfer to a container and allow to cool for an hour out of the fridge uncovered.
- Store in the fridge for up to a week.
- Cut and cook in air fryer. (180°C for 15 - 20 minutes)
Alternatively - Microwave
- Blend ingredients after soaking as above, but transfer to a shallow microwave safe container.
- Use a silicone steamer lid or similar to avoid the mixture drying out.
- Microwave (covered) for approximately 3 minutes. (cook in 1 minute intervals until you know what your microwave will do)
- End result should be firm to the touch.
- Store in the fridge for up to a week or use immediately.
Notes
- If you want it to have a medium or soft texture you should cook it on a stovetop.
- If you want it firm because you are just going to dice it and shove it in the air-fryer... I have poured the wet mix from the bender cup straight into a shallow rectangular glass container, covered with a silicone steamer lid and microwaved for 3 minutes... My microwave is a beast, but 1 minutes increments of 3 - 5 should be enough for any machine to do the same. The resulting firm brick keeps for around a week in the fridge, and you can keep it in the container you cooked it in.
- I use the microwave method for my everyday sustenance and the stovetop if I am preparing it for guests as the microwave leeches some of the colour - Also, I have a tendency to burn myself when the liquid spits on the stovetop...
- I essentially just make this to put in the air-fryer, I then stir-fry it with onions, garlic, and pickled jalapenos or capsicum... or decant onto fresh rocket leaves and drench in sweet chilli sauce for a salad I used to use soy tofu for.
- This recipe is extremely easy and if you microwave it, very quick as well. It means I don't have to use up my soy tofu or dash to the store, and its nutritious (hidden bonus).