To make these with dry lentils from scratch, you will have to cook the lentils before adding to the sauce mixture. Cook 3/4 cup of dry lentils with 1 1/2 cups of water in a saucepan or pressure cooker. For the pressure cooker, cook for 6 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before doing a quick release. Open the lid and drain the lentils. In a saucepan, you will have to cook the lentils for about 30 minutes or so, until they are tender.