I do something similar. I soak the red lentils, blend them like you did (although with less water) add baking powder and soda, black salt, turmeric, pepper and chopped veggies (bok choy, red pepper, onions etc). Pour in silicone muffin pan and bake. They are very dense. When I want to eat them I cut in half and pop them into the toaster! Eat ‘em right out of the toaster or put between toasted English muffin. I freeze them too. Makes for quick breakfast!
I make lentil patties . Soaked 2 hour, in food processor, add green onions, carrot , both lightly chopped In processor. Mix all together add parsley, onion powder, garlic powder. Make small patties into air fryer 12 min at 400f,flip at 6 min....
I've been vegan for over 30 years, vegetarian for 20 before that. I love my own cooking and recipes but you have opened a whole new world to me. I'm gonna be upping my vegan meals from now on. Thank you
In Bengali culture, making "daler bori" with all kinds of pulses is a common practice. Bori is sun dried pulses paste mixed with salt/ spices and sometimes winter gourd and can be preserved for months. It can be lightly fried, and put into the gravy of any curry. It's fluffier than tofu and should taste much better.
We tried this. It's just as easy as it looks on the video. Turned out fantastic. I thought it was gonna taste weird, but it was absolutely gorgeous. We did the salt& pepper with a little cajun and paprika. It's great because store bought tofu is really expensive here. I still have some leftovers, so I'm gonna try a marinade. I'm so impressed by the imagination being put into vegan cooking. I took a picture, but I don't think I can add it here.
❤Just wanted to let you know I made my 2nd one almost immediately. I added The juice of a small lemon, Teaspoon of red chili powder, teaspoon of tumoric, and a thumb sized portion of red beat. It came out a beautiful color and the lemon gave it much more flavor. Also with that batch, I cut it up into one and a 1/2 inch French fry size pieces, put some oil, salt, pepper, garlic coder and onion powder Into the air fryer at 390 shaking it several times for approximately 9 to 12 minutes keep an eye. The best HEALTHY crunchy fries I have ever had thanks to you bringing light to this recipe! Way better than tofu krispies And super healthy as Lentils go!❤
We made this today!! I added too much garlic/onion powder.. but it still turned out pretty good!! We toasted it in a frying pan and dipped it in some sweet chilli sauce. it tasted like french fries!!
I started making this last year to replace the soy in my diet. After experimenting with the recipe, I add 2 tablespoons of nacho flavored nutritional yeast and 2 scoops of Naked Pea Protein to add more protein. It's fire.
@@NuhUh78789 i’m not concerned getting to little either. Ppl should be more concerned of getting to much protein nowadays - because of the protein propaganda. When in fact protein should only be 10% of our diet - according to science ofc and not propaganda.
Hi Derek, I just finished making the “tofu” ….I mixed lentils with chickpeas….it came out so so yummy. Spice wise, I added marmite, paprika and nutritional yeasts….so freakn good !!, thank you for the idea !!! 🌷🌹🌷🌹
I just made this using seasoning nutritional yeast, salt pepper and rosemary and dill it was amazing!!! So crunchy on the outside and soft inside. I am blown away. Way nicer than tofu, its more neutral I think. Thanks so much for this recipe. :)
I made this and it's great! Also discovered it has the same consistency as potato, so I made red lentil fries! Just cut in strips shortways first, then down the middle longways. Afterwards, take stacks of 4 and cut each in half. Pre-salt, then air fry for 20-30 minutes and salt and shuffle midway. Excellent recipe! Same process applies to hashbrowns and anything else potato. This is amazing.
@@ccrow9147 Haha glad to help xD I've made them a couple times since & they're really good. I've started altering the thickness even more as it impacts the crispiness. It's so fun to personalize them to taste. It's probably possible to chip them as well if done carefully enough, although I would start to question the healthiness at some point as it's easy to eat too many lol
I just made this a few days ago, and first let me say it was so easy! It came out great, looked just like your demonstration. So great directions! Second, crisping them up in the air frier is a game changer. Made red lentil tofu “fries” in my air frier today and they were so delicious! Qualifiers- I like legumes and lentils. I am an omnivore, and was looking for some higher nutrition snacks and this just hit the spot. Thank you for your easy to follow recipes!
That little slice you made off the end at 5:40 -- the colour and texture kinda reminded me of a hot-dog and now I'm really eager to try out Vegan hot-dogs with it! Lentils are tasty and I never thought to do this before!
What a great idea! I tried to make hame once, and it was soooo bad I was too scared to try again 😖 Is it just me, or are many cookbooks massively misleading?! I ended up with hammy glue😭 Lentils are great, will try! Thanks for the idea❤️✌️
I've made that today and my flavouring actually turned out like hot dog! Add 1 mushroom stock pot or cube, 3 heaped tbsp of tomato puree, a fair amount of liquid smoke, pepper, salt, paprika. Next time I'll add a bit of garlic and onion, but even without that it tasted pretty hot dog-ey
This is great! I was thinking that since it looked so silky you could easily use this in all those tofu dessert recipes! Lentil ice cream anyone? God bless you all! Stay healthy!
I made this and it came out perfect. The only surprise was that while stirring it in the pot on the stove it thickened up much quicker for me, maybe 3 to 4minutes, it's much harder to control heat on an electric stove.
@@irismenheere3272 Hey there! I like using a cast iron skillet and this channel had an easy recipe. ua-cam.com/video/ktbkQ2QAeas/v-deo.html I didn't add tomato paste to my crust but it's up to you. I hope this helps, it's worth the trouble.
This is a game changer for me!! What a brilliant idea. I use those little red lentils lots to make a nice thick soup with coconut milk and curry powder, but the solid product looks so versatile and yummy! Thanks for this 🙏
We just made this! Red lentils are the best! The batter already tastes good. (Added salt, garlic powder and a little turmeric + chili powder) It’s in the refrigerator now, going to try the air fryer tomorrow : )
I have been making and eating this for awhile now and really love it as a savory dish with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and liquid smoke. But today I tried it using cinnamon, allspice and vanilla.....so good!!!! This is replacing my homemade soy tofu. It's so easy and quick to make and so delish!!! Thanks!!!
I'd recommend letting the lentil batter ferment in a warm place (like the oven with the light on if in cold country) overnight or for 12hrs and then fry or bake them. They turn out light and airy.
@@hibiscusflower5911 before. You soak the lentils overnight and then blend with little to no water. The batter consistency should be thick and creamy. After that you cover it and let it ferment in a warm place for atleast 12 hrs or overnight and once you see the batter has expanded with bubbles on top you can add your seasoning and either bake or deep fry them in small batches.
@@Anione111 the fermentation will help make the final result more lighter and spongy. Unfortunately, lentil 'tofu' won't be as soft as silken tofu even though you have many varieties in the softness/firmness of tofu as well. So the fermentation of lentil batter will help. Google 'Medhu Vada' - it's one of the most beloved snacks in South India and is just made from fried/baked fermented lentil batter.
In India Jain community eats vegan food and they make many protein rich alternatives. Something similar we do make out of chickpea flour. We also separate protein from wheat flour (seitan) to be used as sides or mains .
Thanks for this. I have been overbuying shelf staples for a while and looking for new ways to use them. And it's so easy! I am not, and never expect to be a vegan, but I think it's wise to learn and use vegan recipes
I made this and it is AMAZING! I actually used the soup setting on my Vitamix and let it process until it was thick. Worked really well and save me from having to clean two items lol. But for those without that function, I am sure the saucepan method is just as easy. I love how the air fryer caused it to puff and crisp up. This will go into my weekly rotation. LOVE your videos! My other favorite is the Chickpea muffins that Crystal shared!!
@@decimanightelf4135 The Vitamix has a soup setting that cooks as it processes. It is a 5 minute process and when done the lentil tofu is extremely hot and very thick just like when you cook it on the stove. Plus, I always air fry my tofu when I am ready to eat it so it is nice and crispy and puffs up! So it is essentially cooked twice 😊
@@Authorthings yes! I use it a lot! It does such a great job really getting sauces smooth and as I shared, the hit cooking function is super helpful! I used to use a Ninja but it just left some sauces and nut butters gritty, and left little chunks sometimes when I wanted a really smooth consistency.
Tofu made with mung beans is also very good,as they have a very neutral taste compared to red lentils & they are high in protein.would love to see you make it that way too."the tofu chronicles" 😅
@@DValentine-lp3yr I made it very similar to this recipe.except that I soaked them for about 3 yrs then cooked them as you would any other bean,then I blended them,then cooked them again continually stirring in a pot until really thick.just like he did in this video.
I rarely comment on stuff but I made this today because I had some lentils already, and it was super easy and air fried up so well! What an awesome cheap and yummy way to get some more protein. 😊
I just tried it and Man it was so good just let it sit for 2 days I hurried and made it so it was soft and kinda broke so if you want to use it early so cut it into large pieces
ON MY 4TH BATCH! Shared this tofu with my vegan friend and he loved it! Sent him your video. ❤ Seriously can't thank you enough because I was starting to get sick of tofu 😅
Just wanted to stop by to say " Thank you for sharing an amazing healthy recipe " I have tried it turned out very delicious. I have added 1 teaspoon of dry parsley, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 4 Tablespoon of sweet potatoes starch . Cut shapes like hashbrowns. Pan fried and it tastes like hashbrowns, but better. Delicious. 😘😘🥰🥰.
Hack: I do this but use a large square container in the microwave instead of a stove. Just cook it normally (approx 10min) and pull it out every 2 minutes to stir until its super thick (like in the video). Then just let it sit in the same container in the fridge to harden. I find this is easier, less labour intensive, and has less washing up (also great if you dont have a stove).
You're onto something here. As a lazy stoner vegan who lived for years with a shared kitchen, I got damn good at being a one pan man. I'd start with halved brussels simmering in a pan, add the onion, the mushroom, then the noodles with a good splash of water to hydrate the noods. I bet you could use this same dish to not only nuke the blended mix and chill it to firmness, but also to marinade, and even to bake the sauced block with some veggies and top coat sauce... Yeah, sounds like a plan. Dishes suck
I made a big batch of this and has tried it with different spices. My favorites so far are: 1) Cinnamon and sugar like you did with the chickpea flower lentils. 2) Curry. 3) Mango.
Thank you for taking the time to come up with an alternative for those of us with soy allergies/sensitivities. There have been so many of your tofu recipes I have wanted to try
Made this over the weekend and stored in the freezer. Just made my first meal with it (cubed and sauted with salad) and absolutely loved it! Crunchy outside and smooth centre I think I will be using this as a burger next time, lovely stuff!
@@Simnettnutrition Yes, it worked great. I cut the big block into serving sizes and stored in a tupperware box in the freezer. When defrosting, they do release a lot of water - but after a dry off with a tea towel and you are good to go!
I tried your recommendation, I believe it is the best NEW food I have tried this year, cubed and roasted in my air-fryer, dipped or alone, delicious, thinly sliced makes a decent chip! Thank you for sharing.
I just made this recipe and only addition to lentils was 3 c. Fruit purée instead of water and it turned out fabulous!!! Great for adding to oatmeal, eating as a desert, haven’t yet tried air fry or toaster over…. Highly recommend
If you use a stick blender instead of a counter-top one, and cook it in a microwave, it’s even easier because you can do everything in the same dish that it sets in, and doesn’t need constant stirring
Wow I gotta try this. Thanks Derek. One of my favorite tofu recipes is just raw tofu with olive oil and seasoning. Hand crumble it all and eat raw. It's a lot less dry than cooked scramble and surprisingly great.
What a tremendously helpful video! Thank you, Derek! I highly respect your dedication and how thoroughly you explore vegan cuisine to teach us all these incredible ways of eating healthy :) I'm making this tofu on repeat now. I tend to cut it into teeny-tiny pieces, add spices and a bit of oil, and bake. The end result is crispy, fragrant minced tofu.
Just had a go at making this. It's in the fridge cooling and setting. I threw my hand whisk out not that long ago (as I recalled after blending the ingredients). So out came my small electric whisk 😂 It resembles smash potato, hopefully, it turns out well. I am in the UK & the food cost is skyrocketing. My favorite brand of Tofoo went from £2.00 - £3.05 in a few weeks. I will update once its set and air fried 😊
I fried some of the red lentil tofu in oil with some seasoning and then added a few splashes of soy. It soaked the soy up so well and tastes amazing. I also airfield some. It held better and was crispier. Amazing!
❤ I’m currently trying to make this out of mung bean dal. I make my own mung bean mock “just egg”. I’ve perfected the recipe and haven’t looked back so I believe Mung beans dal will do wonderfully as a tofu. So far the mung bean thickens faster which is good because you will get a arm cramp, only about 5min needed. The batter taste amazing and it’s solidifying quickly. Last thing to test is cutting and air frying it…
So I tried it , I do it the way you did, but since I don't have any air fryer I season it with salt and pepper and fry it in coconut oil and I tell you it is superb very tasty, crispy and nice. Thank you for this wonderful idea am yet to try the chickpeas one.
This is so good, it gives complete control over the type of flavourings you want add. I love the versatile option. I’m not a tofu fan, but my daughter is and she’s home for Christmas, so I’m definitely going to give this a go. Thanks!
@@aprilm9551 Go to the store especially if you can find a store that carries Indian food. There are tiny lentils that are oblong shaped that I think are the ones called moog dahl. Because they're using pea protein for milk And protein powders Some people are getting more used to the taste. Those things are done to that powder to lessen the beanie taste. The small yellow lentils are the ones that work so good for soaking and soaking and grinding after and then in a separate container doing the same thing with broken rice and that makes either the batter for dosa or you can make it the little steamed cakes called IDLY Italy😅 My phone has everything turned off and it's still going to spell things the way it wants to but the IDL Y is the correct one.. And dosa same batter. Please let us know how it turned out. And I hope I see it I'm on here so little lately that I miss things like the follow ups. 🎉I wish you the best! Ps maybe No onion and garlic powder. Lol haha😂
💛✨Love this, does anyone know the nutritional breakdown, protein, carb, fiber, etc. content. This is a game changing, next level protein option. Thanks so much!🤗
That looks amazing, thank you! Red lentil flatbreads are already my go-to, i never tire of them, so i'm looking forward to exploring the new avenues this opens! Cheers :D
Looks easy enough.. made my own Humus with a juicer because it basically grates the beans finer and removes the water. The thick product accumulates around the base of the juicer screen basket so you have to stop and scoop it out after every cup or so.. and you dont want it to put a strain on the juicer motor or basket as well That product is so dense its like peanut butter without the sticky fattiness.
Derek, this is brilliant! I have been making lentil wraps (excellent with cinnamon and nutmeg, wrapped around baked apples!) with just lentils and water and I love them. This will extend my recipe base as I cannot use soy so I never have tofu. Can't wait to try it!
I tried this and wow! The most guilt-free comfort food I have made! After setting in the fridge, I chopped up and tossed it in olive oil & seasoning and popped it in the air fryer. Delicious! (Ps I just used 150g of lentils & it lasted for 4 days, kept in the fridge.)
Love this easy recipe and now make it often. I have not bought tofu since I’ve been making it and rarely make seitan these days because this is so good, and easy. I didn’t care for the texture after it was chilled but then I seasoned and baked it and wow, it is fantastic - great on sandwiches. Thanks so much for another great recipe!
Hi, my whole family has been vegan for 8 years now, and I just wanted to thank you as you were one of the first channels I started watching that inspired and reassured me to go vegan! Question...can you or did you do a breakdown of the nutrient contents of the lentil tofu vs. regular tofu?
first off, regular tofu is raw so will have more available micronutrients since the lentils are cooked for 8-9 minutes. You are basically comparing soy beans and water vs lentils and water, with one being fermented and the other basically pasteurized (blended & heated). I would stick with the soy tofu unless you actively try to avoid it. Fermented food like soy tofu and tempeh is great but it is not for everyone, so I can understand why someone would choose to make a lentil alternative! Just wish there was a way that was raw.
@@user-ch6ti5cc2e Earlier comment said they used the soup setting on their Vitamix and that eliminated the need to cook it as it got really thick from just blending.
AMAZING! I never heard of this before! Thank you for all you do to help others live a healthy lifestyle. I might try it with chili power/smoked paprika.
Uh-may-zing! I come from the land of red lentils and turmeric that has been passed down for centuries but never thought to make this! I love love love this idea and so easy! On it!
Just made this - delicious!! Had it with a baked potato and broccoli - yummy!! I cooked it simply as you suggested, just with S & P, some Italian seasoning, and olive oil. BTW that A Vogel sea salt herbal blend product is pronounced Herb-a-mare (mare, like a female horse) :)
Okay, I’m on board with this idea! Lentils….nutrition powerhouse! I’m going to slice it thin, marinate it in smoky flavors, air fry it and make a BLOAT 😀 ‘bacon’ lettuce 🥬 onion 🧅 avocado 🥑 and tomato 🍅
@@Silver-cl2bd Yes, gotcha; the reason I made the comment is that 'bloat' ...at least here in the US... has a pretty negative meaning. Not really an appetizing name for a sandwich.
Great idea! I make similar bater with less water, add spices, garlic and zucchini finely chopped, sesame and sunflower seeds, ... In a pan I fry it as a tortilla or make hamburgers. Red lentils are extremely versatile 😊
Thanks for the recipe! I was recently diagnosed with Hashimotos so I can’t have soy anymore, which sucks because Tofu was an everyday food for me lol. Can’t wait to try this!
I have Thyroid n my daughter has Hashimotos we were both tested in India n America n the Thyroid specialist told me to stop eating Tofu which I ate almost everyday since I was suffering from awful migrane headaches and severe joint pains. Tofu, edammee n soy prdts are very bad for Thyroidism n Hashimotos disease. Since we stopped Tofu our health improved over time.
My mom makes it and cut it into triangle shape and deep fry it till golden brown. Make butter chicken kind of sauce and throw these fried pieces in. Garnish with coriander leaves n serve with Naan or roties.
Great recipe, I wonder if you could make a sliceable version with nutritional yeast garlic powder, onion powder and vegan lactic acid to make vegan sliced cheese with that. Obviously it wouldn't melt and stretch but it could taste like cheese maybe
What a great idea to use lentils as a base for vegan cheese! Never heard of lactic acid as an ingredient, but for cheese taste my go to is miso for the umami taste and lemon juice. I may add some coconut oil for extra cheese like taste and feel 😊
simnettnutrition.com/easy-vegan-comfort-meals/
Derek, have you tried red lentils and water made into a wrap/flat bread. Its another good use of red lentils.
Why no soy?
I will try a marinade for an hour or so.
@@debbimorgon2988 /// some people are allergic to soy, others can't have soy due
to hypothyroidism.
@@tarahh.3921 /// Maybe brown lentils, I didn't know about the green ones.
This is Nigerian moi-moi but made using lentils. For moi-moi we use beans and for the best taste we use moi-moi leaf, banana or plantain leaf.
Cool! The leaf is to shape it?
@@iamportersingeryes
I make moi moi, I never thought about that. Thank you
I do something similar. I soak the red lentils, blend them like you did (although with less water) add baking powder and soda, black salt, turmeric, pepper and chopped veggies (bok choy, red pepper, onions etc). Pour in silicone muffin pan and bake. They are very dense. When I want to eat them I cut in half and pop them into the toaster! Eat ‘em right out of the toaster or put between toasted English muffin. I freeze them too. Makes for quick breakfast!
I make a similar "lentil bread" but without the veggies. It really is bread and not really dense. I learned it from Refika's Kitchen.
Thanks for sharing your recipe.
what does the baking soda and powder do?
@@rollingthunderinho my hope was to make them less dense. I’m not a baker. Any suggestions would be helpful.
@@mamakins5123 thanks for the reply
I make lentil patties . Soaked 2 hour, in food processor, add green onions, carrot , both lightly chopped In processor. Mix all together add parsley, onion powder, garlic powder. Make small patties into air fryer 12 min at 400f,flip at 6 min....
I've been vegan for over 30 years, vegetarian for 20 before that. I love my own cooking and recipes but you have opened a whole new world to me. I'm gonna be upping my vegan meals from now on. Thank you
Been vegan forever, worked in vegan cafes and seen it all but my mind is blown right now! Gratitude!
In Bengali culture, making "daler bori" with all kinds of pulses is a common practice. Bori is sun dried pulses paste mixed with salt/ spices and sometimes winter gourd and can be preserved for months. It can be lightly fried, and put into the gravy of any curry. It's fluffier than tofu and should taste much better.
Even daaler Bora.
Barrian
Thanks, 😂 I will give it a try.
I love daler bori. Super delicious.
If you are allergic to soy this might be a great option. To get protein that doesn't cost as much as lean meats.
What I love is no straining OR pressing. Wonderful!
Yep it's so easy!
Never thought about that! 😊
We tried this. It's just as easy as it looks on the video. Turned out fantastic. I thought it was gonna taste weird, but it was absolutely gorgeous. We did the salt& pepper with a little cajun and paprika. It's great because store bought tofu is really expensive here. I still have some leftovers, so I'm gonna try a marinade. I'm so impressed by the imagination being put into vegan cooking. I took a picture, but I don't think I can add it here.
@T I don't know but i saw in tje comments someome said they freeze it
vegetable protein in large quantities/concentrations is harmful. there is no need/benefit to eat tofu!!!
It s the imagination from another channel😉
❤Just wanted to let you know I made my 2nd one almost immediately. I added The juice of a small lemon, Teaspoon of red chili powder, teaspoon of tumoric, and a thumb sized portion of red beat. It came out a beautiful color and the lemon gave it much more flavor. Also with that batch, I cut it up into one and a 1/2 inch French fry size pieces, put some oil, salt, pepper, garlic coder and onion powder Into the air fryer at 390 shaking it several times for approximately 9 to 12 minutes keep an eye. The best HEALTHY crunchy fries I have ever had thanks to you bringing light to this recipe! Way better than tofu krispies And super healthy as Lentils go!❤
Oh cool! I love that you did your own thing with it! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, I thought maybe citrus would cause it to curdle!🙂
Ooh...your recipe sounds brilliant. Will try
Thanks for sharing 👍💖💝🌻
you mean red beet ?
Thanks for sharing, could it be made with yellow split peas?
I made this with split peas following your exact procedure , it is delicious. Thank you
We made this today!! I added too much garlic/onion powder.. but it still turned out pretty good!! We toasted it in a frying pan and dipped it in some sweet chilli sauce. it tasted like french fries!!
I started making this last year to replace the soy in my diet. After experimenting with the recipe, I add 2 tablespoons of nacho flavored nutritional yeast and 2 scoops of Naked Pea Protein to add more protein. It's fire.
Thank you for sharing these great ideas.
More proteins? It has it own. Food combining is a thing (for digestive purposes). Research. To much of anything can be bad.
You’re fire, thank you for the idea! I didn’t even know nacho flavored nutritional yeast existed. 🔥
@@NuhUh78789 i’m not concerned getting to little either. Ppl should be more concerned of getting to much protein nowadays - because of the protein propaganda. When in fact protein should only be 10% of our diet - according to science ofc and not propaganda.
Yeah, but where do you get your protein... lol jk
Hi Derek, I just finished making the “tofu” ….I mixed lentils with chickpeas….it came out so so yummy. Spice wise, I added marmite, paprika and nutritional yeasts….so freakn good !!, thank you for the idea !!! 🌷🌹🌷🌹
I just made this using seasoning nutritional yeast, salt pepper and rosemary and dill it was amazing!!! So crunchy on the outside and soft inside. I am blown away. Way nicer than tofu, its more neutral I think. Thanks so much for this recipe. :)
I made this and it's great! Also discovered it has the same consistency as potato, so I made red lentil fries! Just cut in strips shortways first, then down the middle longways. Afterwards, take stacks of 4 and cut each in half. Pre-salt, then air fry for 20-30 minutes and salt and shuffle midway. Excellent recipe! Same process applies to hashbrowns and anything else potato. This is amazing.
That’s genius! WW friendly french fries. I’m forever grateful! 😉
@@ccrow9147 Haha glad to help xD I've made them a couple times since & they're really good. I've started altering the thickness even more as it impacts the crispiness. It's so fun to personalize them to taste. It's probably possible to chip them as well if done carefully enough, although I would start to question the healthiness at some point as it's easy to eat too many lol
I just made this a few days ago, and first let me say it was so easy! It came out great, looked just like your demonstration. So great directions! Second, crisping them up in the air frier is a game changer. Made red lentil tofu “fries” in my air frier today and they were so delicious! Qualifiers- I like legumes and lentils. I am an omnivore, and was looking for some higher nutrition snacks and this just hit the spot. Thank you for your easy to follow recipes!
Awesome! So basically polenta, but with red lentils! I had no idea you could do this with them and I'm giving it a go right now! Thanks!!
That’s what i thought too!
You can also just blend lentils, salt water and cook like pancakes
@@banzaitntDosa!! Been making them as alternative to grain based crepes (more proteins, fewer calories, win win)
Polentils!
That little slice you made off the end at 5:40 -- the colour and texture kinda reminded me of a hot-dog and now I'm really eager to try out Vegan hot-dogs with it! Lentils are tasty and I never thought to do this before!
Kinda looks like ham doesn’t it!
I bet seasoning the batter like sausage and molding it into a cylinder would make a killer hot dog
I thought the same thing! Did you try it?
What a great idea! I tried to make hame once, and it was soooo bad I was too scared to try again 😖 Is it just me, or are many cookbooks massively misleading?! I ended up with hammy glue😭
Lentils are great, will try! Thanks for the idea❤️✌️
I've made that today and my flavouring actually turned out like hot dog! Add 1 mushroom stock pot or cube, 3 heaped tbsp of tomato puree, a fair amount of liquid smoke, pepper, salt, paprika. Next time I'll add a bit of garlic and onion, but even without that it tasted pretty hot dog-ey
This is great! I was thinking that since it looked so silky you could easily use this in all those tofu dessert recipes! Lentil ice cream anyone? God bless you all! Stay healthy!
I made this and it came out perfect. The only surprise was that while stirring it in the pot on the stove it thickened up much quicker for me, maybe 3 to 4minutes, it's much harder to control heat on an electric stove.
"Better the next day" 🙌🏽 It's a Godsend. Red lentils make a great pizza crust as well.
Can you please forward that recepy? I Have a gluten I tolerance. I am very curious for this.
@@irismenheere3272 Hey there! I like using a cast iron skillet and this channel had an easy recipe. ua-cam.com/video/ktbkQ2QAeas/v-deo.html
I didn't add tomato paste to my crust but it's up to you. I hope this helps, it's worth the trouble.
Can you please post the recipe for the pizza crust you make I would love to try it thank you
My aunt got me a big box of red lentils for my birthday and now I have another idea of how to use them. Thanks Derek!
That's a great birthday present! Your aunt must be amazing. 🥰
This is a game changer for me!! What a brilliant idea. I use those little red lentils lots to make a nice thick soup with coconut milk and curry powder, but the solid product looks so versatile and yummy! Thanks for this 🙏
We just made this! Red lentils are the best! The batter already tastes good. (Added salt, garlic powder and a little turmeric + chili powder) It’s in the refrigerator now, going to try the air fryer tomorrow : )
Canada food prices are insane and I like that you are creative with red lentils. As a new vegetarian, I'm looking for new prote8n sources.
all plants have protein so eat a variety then you'll be covered. 👍🏼
I have been making and eating this for awhile now and really love it as a savory dish with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika and liquid smoke. But today I tried it using cinnamon, allspice and vanilla.....so good!!!! This is replacing my homemade soy tofu. It's so easy and quick to make and so delish!!! Thanks!!!
Hi, how does the texture compare to soy tofu?
Awesome. Thank you. I’m dairy free but I can’t eat soy either so this is great. Also good for lowering cholesterol ❤
I'd recommend letting the lentil batter ferment in a warm place (like the oven with the light on if in cold country) overnight or for 12hrs and then fry or bake them. They turn out light and airy.
The batter before boiling it down or after?
@@hibiscusflower5911 before. You soak the lentils overnight and then blend with little to no water. The batter consistency should be thick and creamy. After that you cover it and let it ferment in a warm place for atleast 12 hrs or overnight and once you see the batter has expanded with bubbles on top you can add your seasoning and either bake or deep fry them in small batches.
If it doesn't ferment, add baking soda to it and bake
Hi. I was thinking about this too, but what you describe, the end product will be different, right, won't be soft like tofu?
@@Anione111 the fermentation will help make the final result more lighter and spongy. Unfortunately, lentil 'tofu' won't be as soft as silken tofu even though you have many varieties in the softness/firmness of tofu as well. So the fermentation of lentil batter will help. Google 'Medhu Vada' - it's one of the most beloved snacks in South India and is just made from fried/baked fermented lentil batter.
In India Jain community eats vegan food and they make many protein rich alternatives.
Something similar we do make out of chickpea flour.
We also separate protein from wheat flour (seitan) to be used as sides or mains .
Thanks for this. I have been overbuying shelf staples for a while and looking for new ways to use them. And it's so easy!
I am not, and never expect to be a vegan, but I think it's wise to learn and use vegan recipes
I made this and it is AMAZING! I actually used the soup setting on my Vitamix and let it process until it was thick. Worked really well and save me from having to clean two items lol. But for those without that function, I am sure the saucepan method is just as easy. I love how the air fryer caused it to puff and crisp up. This will go into my weekly rotation. LOVE your videos! My other favorite is the Chickpea muffins that Crystal shared!!
It's great to know that the stirring the stuff in the pan can be skipped. I'll try that!
@@decimanightelf4135 The Vitamix has a soup setting that cooks as it processes. It is a 5 minute process and when done the lentil tofu is extremely hot and very thick just like when you cook it on the stove. Plus, I always air fry my tofu when I am ready to eat it so it is nice and crispy and puffs up! So it is essentially cooked twice 😊
Is your Vitamix worth it? We're looking into a refurbished one.
Brilliant idea, thanks.
@@Authorthings yes! I use it a lot! It does such a great job really getting sauces smooth and as I shared, the hit cooking function is super helpful! I used to use a Ninja but it just left some sauces and nut butters gritty, and left little chunks sometimes when I wanted a really smooth consistency.
Tofu made with mung beans is also very good,as they have a very neutral taste compared to red lentils & they are high in protein.would love to see you make it that way too."the tofu chronicles" 😅
Recipe Please !!!!!❤
Oh I have to try that!!! I’m waiting for someone to do a mung bean one. Do you have to strain the bean milk, like you would with regular tofu?
I would also love the recipe please.
@@DValentine-lp3yr I made it very similar to this recipe.except that I soaked them for about 3 yrs then cooked them as you would any other bean,then I blended them,then cooked them again continually stirring in a pot until really thick.just like he did in this video.
@@crankiemanx84233 years?!!
I rarely comment on stuff but I made this today because I had some lentils already, and it was super easy and air fried up so well! What an awesome cheap and yummy way to get some more protein. 😊
I just tried it and Man it was so good just let it sit for 2 days I hurried and made it so it was soft and kinda broke so if you want to use it early so cut it into large pieces
ON MY 4TH BATCH!
Shared this tofu with my vegan friend and he loved it! Sent him your video.
❤ Seriously can't thank you enough because I was starting to get sick of tofu 😅
Eat some fish
@@LMTMarta ew
I'm new around here. This sounds amazing! What ways have you used this?
The kitchen gods have smiled upon us yet again. 🙏🏼 thank you Derek for being the voice of vegan-food badassery.
Similar to Burmese Tofu (chickpea) they’re so easy to make!
Please share your recipe.
@@DValentine-lp3yr ua-cam.com/video/0Mv5jGrJw_A/v-deo.html
Just wanted to stop by to say " Thank you for sharing an amazing healthy recipe " I have tried it turned out very delicious. I have added 1 teaspoon of dry parsley, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 4 Tablespoon of sweet potatoes starch . Cut shapes like hashbrowns. Pan fried and it tastes like hashbrowns, but better. Delicious. 😘😘🥰🥰.
Hack: I do this but use a large square container in the microwave instead of a stove. Just cook it normally (approx 10min) and pull it out every 2 minutes to stir until its super thick (like in the video). Then just let it sit in the same container in the fridge to harden. I find this is easier, less labour intensive, and has less washing up (also great if you dont have a stove).
You're onto something here. As a lazy stoner vegan who lived for years with a shared kitchen, I got damn good at being a one pan man. I'd start with halved brussels simmering in a pan, add the onion, the mushroom, then the noodles with a good splash of water to hydrate the noods.
I bet you could use this same dish to not only nuke the blended mix and chill it to firmness, but also to marinade, and even to bake the sauced block with some veggies and top coat sauce... Yeah, sounds like a plan. Dishes suck
@@Somethinghumble Totally. Also like to add some cocoa, stevia, and vanilla to the mix. It sets as a delicious and healthy chocolate slice.
I've made your tofu and love it. I've even made vegan chorizo with it and it's fantastic. I hope you try it.
I made a big batch of this and has tried it with different spices. My favorites so far are:
1) Cinnamon and sugar like you did with the chickpea flower lentils.
2) Curry.
3) Mango.
😃👍 I am allergic to soy. Going to try this.
Please, more soy-free recipes, Derek! 🙏
Yes to this! I am allergic to soy as well, as is another member of my household. Soy free recipes are very much appreciated!
Same here! Would love to finally try tofu now with this recipe
Thank you for taking the time to come up with an alternative for those of us with soy allergies/sensitivities. There have been so many of your tofu recipes I have wanted to try
Man i am indian i eat this everyday and still i never thought of doing this....this looks so good....i would definitely make this from now on....
I love this idea I will have to try it again when I get more red lentils. Thank you so much for sharing.
It's in the fridge for overnight. It tasted so good I could have eaten it just like that out of the pot. 😋
Enjoy!
Made this over the weekend and stored in the freezer. Just made my first meal with it (cubed and sauted with salad) and absolutely loved it! Crunchy outside and smooth centre
I think I will be using this as a burger next time, lovely stuff!
Oh cool so it does work frozen?!? Thanks for sharing. Lots of questions about that.
@@Simnettnutrition Yes, it worked great. I cut the big block into serving sizes and stored in a tupperware box in the freezer.
When defrosting, they do release a lot of water - but after a dry off with a tea towel and you are good to go!
Great idea to make a burger patty with it!😊 Thank you!
We made this today! I can’t believe how awesome it is!! 10 thumbs up! Thank you for this amazing dish! 👏
I tried your recommendation, I believe it is the best NEW food I have tried this year, cubed and roasted in my air-fryer, dipped or alone, delicious, thinly sliced makes a decent chip! Thank you for sharing.
I just made this recipe and only addition to lentils was 3 c. Fruit purée instead of water and it turned out fabulous!!! Great for adding to oatmeal, eating as a desert, haven’t yet tried air fry or toaster over…. Highly recommend
Wow! I love that idea - thanks for sharing!
Excellent. You can fry it in sesame oil and serve it with sesame seeds and green onion.
You are amazing man and an inspiration for me as a human!! Thank you so much for sharing your world with us!! 💚👊😉
Thanks man!
I am living for the tofu expansion that we’re seeing.
SAME!
😊
If you use a stick blender instead of a counter-top one, and cook it in a microwave, it’s even easier because you can do everything in the same dish that it sets in, and doesn’t need constant stirring
Definitely will be trying this. Will make it a lot easier to make bigger batches.
I am definitely going to try this out thanks
Wow I gotta try this. Thanks Derek.
One of my favorite tofu recipes is just raw tofu with olive oil and seasoning. Hand crumble it all and eat raw. It's a lot less dry than cooked scramble and surprisingly great.
What a tremendously helpful video! Thank you, Derek! I highly respect your dedication and how thoroughly you explore vegan cuisine to teach us all these incredible ways of eating healthy :)
I'm making this tofu on repeat now. I tend to cut it into teeny-tiny pieces, add spices and a bit of oil, and bake. The end result is crispy, fragrant minced tofu.
Just had a go at making this. It's in the fridge cooling and setting. I threw my hand whisk out not that long ago (as I recalled after blending the ingredients). So out came my small electric whisk 😂 It resembles smash potato, hopefully, it turns out well.
I am in the UK & the food cost is skyrocketing. My favorite brand of Tofoo went from £2.00 - £3.05 in a few weeks. I will update once its set and air fried 😊
So how is your experience? I also live in UK and I liked eat before tofoo, but because of price not anymore😅
I fried some of the red lentil tofu in oil with some seasoning and then added a few splashes of soy. It soaked the soy up so well and tastes amazing. I also airfield some. It held better and was crispier. Amazing!
❤ I’m currently trying to make this out of mung bean dal. I make my own mung bean mock “just egg”. I’ve perfected the recipe and haven’t looked back so I believe Mung beans dal will do wonderfully as a tofu. So far the mung bean thickens faster which is good because you will get a arm cramp, only about 5min needed. The batter taste amazing and it’s solidifying quickly. Last thing to test is cutting and air frying it…
I adore your videos. You make vegan easy and entertaining! Thank you for being awesome!!!
It is also nice when you use chickpea flour. I believe it is from an Italian recipe!
I need to make this. I always have dried red lentils on hand so if it’s really this simple this is great to have in the kitchen arsenal!
Hope you enjoy the recipe if you do make it! It's so easy and versatile.
So I tried it , I do it the way you did, but since I don't have any air fryer I season it with salt and pepper and fry it in coconut oil and I tell you it is superb very tasty, crispy and nice. Thank you for this wonderful idea am yet to try the chickpeas one.
This is so good, it gives complete control over the type of flavourings you want add. I love the versatile option. I’m not a tofu fan, but my daughter is and she’s home for Christmas, so I’m definitely going to give this a go. Thanks!
Smoked paprika. That's what I'm going to throw in. 🤤 Thank you for this!
I’m allergic to dairy and I’m gonna make CHEESECAKE with this stuff!!! Thank you!!!
Wow. Did you make it yet? How did it turn out? Recipe please if you were happy with the results!
Childhood vaccines will do that, just be happy you didn't get the nut allergy one
@@aprilm9551 Go to the store especially if you can find a store that carries Indian food. There are tiny lentils that are oblong shaped that I think are the ones called moog dahl. Because they're using pea protein for milk And protein powders Some people are getting more used to the taste. Those things are done to that powder to lessen the beanie taste. The small yellow lentils are the ones that work so good for soaking and soaking and grinding after and then in a separate container doing the same thing with broken rice and that makes either the batter for dosa or you can make it the little steamed cakes called IDLY Italy😅 My phone has everything turned off and it's still going to spell things the way it wants to but the IDL Y is the correct one.. And dosa same batter. Please let us know how it turned out. And I hope I see it I'm on here so little lately that I miss things like the follow ups. 🎉I wish you the best!
Ps maybe No onion and garlic powder.
Lol haha😂
Moong
If you tried, please share the results :D
That sounds very interesting :)
Wow I had never even thought of it. I am trying this tonight and will use it for a stir fry. Thanks Derek !
Wow Derek. Served this recipe at a function recently. Everyone wanted the recipe. You’ve become a legend in sunny South Africa. 🥰🥰🥰
I'm also from South Africa and struggling to find Tofu at this time of year so def going to try this!!
💛✨Love this, does anyone know the nutritional breakdown, protein, carb, fiber, etc. content. This is a game changing, next level protein option.
Thanks so much!🤗
The “Derrick Simnett ‘til-the-wisk-stands-up-by-itself test”. 😊 Love your easy, fun approach to cooking!
Used to do this with chickpea flour. Tasty stuff! :)
Yeah, I have made an egg recipe (I Could Never Go Vegan cookbook) using chickpea flower that was kind of like this one.
So a similar method with chickpea flour?
@@kalo924 Yeah. You can probably do this with any legume.
That looks amazing, thank you! Red lentil flatbreads are already my go-to, i never tire of them, so i'm looking forward to exploring the new avenues this opens! Cheers :D
Recipe for flatbead pls.
I tried both the black bean and red lentil. Both are good, I just like red lentil better. Thank you for great recipes.
Looks easy enough.. made my own Humus with a juicer because it basically grates the beans finer and removes the water. The thick product accumulates around the base of the juicer screen basket so you have to stop and scoop it out after every cup or so.. and you dont want it to put a strain on the juicer motor or basket as well
That product is so dense its like peanut butter without the sticky fattiness.
Mary's Test Kitchen curdled lentil milk for tofu. Looks amazing. Yours is kinda like Burmese chick pea tofu but works!!!
Derek, this is brilliant! I have been making lentil wraps (excellent with cinnamon and nutmeg, wrapped around baked apples!) with just lentils and water and I love them. This will extend my recipe base as I cannot use soy so I never have tofu. Can't wait to try it!
I tried this and wow! The most guilt-free comfort food I have made! After setting in the fridge, I chopped up and tossed it in olive oil & seasoning and popped it in the air fryer. Delicious! (Ps I just used 150g of lentils & it lasted for 4 days, kept in the fridge.)
Love this easy recipe and now make it often. I have not bought tofu since I’ve been making it and rarely make seitan these days because this is so good, and easy. I didn’t care for the texture after it was chilled but then I seasoned and baked it and wow, it is fantastic - great on sandwiches. Thanks so much for another great recipe!
I’m excited to try this, even though I love soy tofu, it’s good to have a backup. Thanks, Derek, for the inspiration.👏🤩
It's nice to change it up. I hope you enjoy the recipe if you make it!
It came out great!
Will definitely try this !
Hi, my whole family has been vegan for 8 years now, and I just wanted to thank you as you were one of the first channels I started watching that inspired and reassured me to go vegan! Question...can you or did you do a breakdown of the nutrient contents of the lentil tofu vs. regular tofu?
Cronometer it..
first off, regular tofu is raw so will have more available micronutrients since the lentils are cooked for 8-9 minutes. You are basically comparing soy beans and water vs lentils and water, with one being fermented and the other basically pasteurized (blended & heated). I would stick with the soy tofu unless you actively try to avoid it. Fermented food like soy tofu and tempeh is great but it is not for everyone, so I can understand why someone would choose to make a lentil alternative! Just wish there was a way that was raw.
@@user-ch6ti5cc2e Earlier comment said they used the soup setting on their Vitamix and that eliminated the need to cook it as it got really thick from just blending.
@@dabeezkneez8716 High speed blending *is* a method of cooking using friction to produce heat .
@@Artman710 Great info. I had no idea. Thanks.
AMAZING! I never heard of this before! Thank you for all you do to help others live a healthy lifestyle. I might try it with chili power/smoked paprika.
It's really good with smoked paprika! I think adding some chilli would be awesome.
Uh-may-zing! I come from the land of red lentils and turmeric that has been passed down for centuries but never thought to make this! I love love love this idea and so easy! On it!
Just made this - delicious!! Had it with a baked potato and broccoli - yummy!! I cooked it simply as you suggested, just with S & P, some Italian seasoning, and olive oil. BTW that A Vogel sea salt herbal blend product is pronounced Herb-a-mare (mare, like a female horse) :)
Okay, I’m on board with this idea! Lentils….nutrition powerhouse! I’m going to slice it thin, marinate it in smoky flavors, air fry it and make a BLOAT 😀 ‘bacon’ lettuce 🥬 onion 🧅 avocado 🥑 and tomato 🍅
Nyom nyom!😊
Sounds great, but maybe you could call it a BLT + or something...lol
You could slip in a small chipotle pepper and it would be a 'smoked' tofu
@@sharit7970 the B in BLT is for bacon, L for lettuce, T for tomato. Add in an O and an A you get: B.L.O.A.T. Hence, BLOAT.
@@Silver-cl2bd Yes, gotcha; the reason I made the comment is that 'bloat' ...at least here in the US... has a pretty negative meaning. Not really an appetizing name for a sandwich.
Love this idea! Lately I've been wanting to try and make tofu for myself and now this video came up, right in time. 🥰
Awesome! This is definitely way easier than soy tofu haha
Derek, you've outdone yourself again! Thank you so much for all your amazing recipes this is freaking fantastic!🌞
Thank you for the video! I would love to know how you made your dressing!
Two questions. First, can you freeze it, and second, how long does it last in the fridge?
Made this last night, I’m kind of obsessed! Definitely going to be a kitchen staple for me now! 🌱💚
Aaah, amazing! I actually started soaking lentils before the vid was even finished😅💪🏻 can‘t wait to try it for dinner💖
Awesome, I'd never thought 😮. Will definitely be making this, I'm a new vegan trying new dishes
I hope you like it! Glad you found mine channel, I have tons of vids to help!
I've done something similar will try right now. Vegan 43 years so this is wonderful!
It came out perfect! You were right the most labor intensive part was the stirring but good for me since I don't use those muscles enough, ha ha
Great idea! I make similar bater with less water, add spices, garlic and zucchini finely chopped, sesame and sunflower seeds, ... In a pan I fry it as a tortilla or make hamburgers. Red lentils are extremely versatile 😊
Thanks for the recipe! I was recently diagnosed with Hashimotos so I can’t have soy anymore, which sucks because Tofu was an everyday food for me lol. Can’t wait to try this!
I hope you enjoy it :)
I didn’t know soy was bad for Hashimoto’s. ‘Fortunately’ soy makes me sick so that works out.
@Michelle Emm omg thanks for the info! I’ll test it out that way with the couple hours after my meds. I love tofu so was sad to hear my Dr say no soy.
These mrna side effects are getting out of hand, stay strong!
I have Thyroid n my daughter has Hashimotos we were both tested in India n America n the Thyroid specialist told me to stop eating Tofu which I ate almost everyday since I was suffering from awful migrane headaches and severe joint pains. Tofu, edammee n soy prdts are very bad for Thyroidism n Hashimotos disease.
Since we stopped Tofu our health improved over time.
I have red lentils but never use them, so this is a great idea!
Same here. I’ve had a bag sitting in my pantry forever LOL
@@coppertopp2268 Thank goodness they keep well.
My mom makes it and cut it into triangle shape and deep fry it till golden brown. Make butter chicken kind of sauce and throw these fried pieces in. Garnish with coriander leaves n serve with Naan or roties.
I can’t think you enough my husband and I love this🙌You make everything so easy and simple 🙌
Great recipe, I wonder if you could make a sliceable version with nutritional yeast garlic powder, onion powder and vegan lactic acid to make vegan sliced cheese with that. Obviously it wouldn't melt and stretch but it could taste like cheese maybe
What a great idea to use lentils as a base for vegan cheese! Never heard of lactic acid as an ingredient, but for cheese taste my go to is miso for the umami taste and lemon juice. I may add some coconut oil for extra cheese like taste and feel 😊