[miggs]

Simple question really. What's the difference between Lentils and "split Lentils. I have a recipe that says split Lentils but I only have Lentils. Will it make a difference?
Thanks.

[New shoot]

Split lentils are the red ones and have hulled and split in half, whereas whole lentils are the greenish coloured ones that are still in one piece and have the skins still on.

Red ones cook down to a mush quite quickly.  Whole ones take about twice as long and keep their shape.  Tastewise they are similar, but the whole ones are a bit more nutty flavoured.

Depending on the recipe, you could sub them.  If you needed the split lentils to cook to a mush to use as a binder (like a lentil and veg bake or for a vegeburger), it would not quite be the same consistency, but it should still taste OK 

[DanielCoffey]

Split red lentils are the orange/red ones that will cook to a mush in about 30 mins. Split yellow are larger but will still cook to a mush. Whole brown or green lentils will take about 45 mins and keep a little of their texture. Whole "Puy" dark green lentils will keep their texture well, even up to 1h cooking.

If you want to use the Puy lentils, you can also add some split reds to act as a thickener.

[Scribbler]

If you're doing a mince dish like spag bol or lasagne, you can substitute half the mince for red lentils apparently.

[mumofstig]

you can substitute half the mince for red lentils apparently.

Not just apparently - you really can do it, and it's much healthier if you do. Even my grandchildren (2 fussy wotsits!) don't notice it when I do. Same thing in  Shepherd's/cottage pie as well

[Snoop]

you can substitute half the mince for red lentils apparently.

Not just apparently - you really can do it, and it's much healthier if you do. Even my grandchildren (2 fussy wotsits!) don't notice it when I do. Same thing in  Shepherd's/cottage pie as well

Agreed. I made a vegetarian moussaka with brown lentils the other day for friends. One of them was convinced it was mince and could barely credit it when I said it was lentils, despite the fact that she knew full well that another person there was a vegetarian.