Lentils often get the undeserved rap that they are boring. But people all over the world know the truth — that they're versatile, satisfying and the perfect low-maintenance alternative to beans.

Lentils are a colorful, earthy addition to your pantry. From a distance, containers of black, green, brown, red and yellow lentils could be mistaken for candies or sprinkles, but these little disks ...

Italians eat lentils to bring good fortune, linking their round shape with gold coins. No wonder: at 20¢ per 1/2-cup cooked serving (of brown lentils), these peppery little legumes practically put ...

Lentils don’t always have the most exciting reputation. People tend to associate the tiny pulse with dark brown, mushy and bland soups, says cookbook author Crescent Dragonwagon. Other cultures seem ...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. We've written about seven different types of lentils you can buy dried, but canned lentils are a modern miracle of convenience for home cooks.

Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. This thrifty ingredient makes weeknight cooking so much easier. The humble lentil is a kitchen powerhouse. Armando Rafael for The ...