Green Lentils

Green lentils are small, flat, whole lentils cooked with their skin on, so they tend to hold their shape better than split red lentils. They are a staple of Lebanese home cooking, best known as the base of mujaddara, where they are cooked with rice or bulgur and topped with fried onions. They are also used in filling lentil soups, in rishta with noodles, in stews and in cold salads with herbs, lemon and olive oil. Rinse them before cooking; they do not usually need soaking. You can find green lentils at Dekenet Al Nes in Baaqline, a package-free grocery store where they are sold by weight per kilo. Bring your own jar or bag and fill only the amount you need, which helps cut single-use packaging.