Lentils

Lentils are tiny, round, flat legume seeds that resemble lenses. There are main varieties, including green or le Puy lentils, red lentils, and the black, beluga, or caviar lentils. The seeds do not need to be soaked in water before cooking, and due to their tiny size, they cook quickly. Compared to the other lentils, black lentils take longer to cook and will retain their texture and won’t fall apart easily. In India, lentils are a dietary staple and are used to make dals and various stews like sambar with vegetables or meat.