pulses/lentils in slow cooker

mandy_moo_1

Another query!

I've been reading all the recipes on the Slow Cooker thread, and i just wondered, do you need to soak the pearl barley,scotch broth mix, lentils etc before you put em in the SC? Or do i cook them ie) the lentils til they go mushy, then add them?

Thanx

squeaky

There are quite a few threads which discuss pulses (and saftey guidelines) and others on lentils which will help you in our main collection of slow cooker threads. The advice is varied depending on quite which ones you are using and how you want the finished meal to turn out.


The Complete Slow Cooker Collection

streetgirl74

When i do a stew in my sc i just add the pearl barley half way through with no soaking and it turns out fine.

Rachie_B

i just throw them in no soaking and its fine

ladygrey_2

I often use lentils etc in casseroles to thicken it without having to use flour

mandy_moo_1

Do you have to cook the lentils first tho to make em mushy, or do you just throw them in the SC at the beginning

sheena4711

Personally i would pre-soak them as i have just done a batch of carrot and lentil soup in the slow cooker and had to finish it off in a pan on the stove top as the lentils weren't cooked properly.

Swan_2

I regularly use broth mix in my SC ... a combination of red lentils, split peas, barley & marrowfat peas etc, & they all cook perfectly without pre-soaking. so don't bother soaking, just chuck them in

comping_cat

As long as i know the SC is going to be on 6 hours plus, i dont soak or pre boil, if its less then i do pre boil as i dont like cruchy lentils!!!!(the red lentils tend to cook really quickly, but the green ones and pearl barley dont)

Badgergal

I've cooked a few pulse type things in my SC... Things like dried butterbeans, chickpeas and blackeye beans need to be soaked overnight and boiled for 10 mins before they go in; after cooking in the slow cooker for 12 hours on low they are firm rather than mushy but if I didn't do the boiling thing they would be inedible...

mandy_moo_1

Thanx for all your replies....i didn't want the kids to be breaking their teeth!! :rotfl: :rotfl: