Red Lentils

Red lentils are small split lentils with an orange-red colour that cook quickly and soften into a smooth, creamy texture. In Lebanese homes they are best known as the base of shorbet adas, the lentil soup often seasoned with cumin and onion and served with a squeeze of lemon. They are also used in stews, dals, purées and fillings, and they do not need soaking before cooking. Rinse them well, then simmer until tender, usually in around 15 to 20 minutes. At Dekenet Al Nes, a package-free grocery store in Baaqline in the Chouf, red lentils are sold by the kilo in the legumes section. Customers are encouraged to bring their own containers and refill what they need, which helps cut plastic waste and single-use packaging.