Have you heard of lentils? Do you cook with them? I did not grow up eating lentils, so I did not know what they were until I started working for Iowa State. I learned that lentils are tiny, disc-shaped legumes. Legumes are plants that have seed pods, like beans and peas. In the kitchen, lentils are used as a quick-cooking and inexpensive plant protein that is tasty in main dishes or as a side dish.

If you are interested in learning more about lentils or cooking with them, we have you covered here at Spend Smart. Eat Smart. We have some great ways for you to use lentils in your kitchen:

• To use lentils as a main dish, try our Lentil Tacos or our Vegetable Soup with Kale and Lentils.
• To use lentils as a side dish, try our Garlic and Herb Lentils.
• To learn more about lentils, check out our Pantry Picks section, which includes information on lentils. Learn about their nutrition, how to store them, how to clean them, and how to cook them.

Watch the video below to see my son, Kenny, and I make a batch of lentils for lunch. We served them wrapped in tortillas with shredded cheese, vegetables, and sour cream. They were a hit! Enjoy!