I have a recipe for vegetarian Moussaka which calls for red lentils, but it doesn't specify whether these are split red lentils. Is there such a thing as whole red lentils (I have only ever bought split ones) and will using split red lentils instead, confuse the measurements in the recipe?
Are red lentils and split red lentils the same
lentils
Related Topic
- The appropriate lentil-to-water ratio for stovetop lentils
- Rice – What ratio of rice is needed for lentils to be a “complete protein”
- How long can you keep uncooked lentils – red and brown
- Different cooking times for red and brown lentils
- What are the consequences of not rinsing hermetic lentils prior to use
- Soaked red split lentils overnight for tadka dal. Proportion water to boil them in by weight? Any way to prevent the foam-up
Best Answer
They are not the same, there is a difference. Red lentils can be purchased whole or split. Most red varieties are skinless, those that do have skin don't appear very red.
The measurements aren't going to be affected much, you'll get slightly more lentil in a cup of split lentils than a cup of whole lentils. The cooking time will be more dramatically different. Split lentils with the outer skin removed will cook faster than whole lentils, particularly those that still have the outer skin.
I looked at a few recipes for Moussaka with lentils, and they all called for cooked lentils. So whatever lentils you choose, follow the instructions on the package or your knowledge of the product.
Whole lentils will maintain their shape more (although the red varieties won't stay whole), split lentils will break up more. Which you choose should be a matter of personal preference.