Bulking out Meals?

frosty

If I buy a 500g pack of mince I will use half for spag bol and the other half for shepherds pie.I always add a handfull of soya mince(no one can tell)a large chopped onion.I always manage to serve 4 people with each one.

Ladyhawk

I really didn't like the oats in with the mince... maybe I put to much in...?

Petlamb

I got away with carrots, onion and oats the other week... bit creamier but not noticeable.

rachbc

Putting carrots, onion and celery in spag bol isn't padding out its actually creating what the italians call a sofrito - and adding tons of flavour and is a very authentic basis for a ragu sauce. I do stretch the mince further by adding red lentils too as I like that they add both fibre and protein, never tried oats. Same with cottage pie.

In a chilli I miss out the carrots but add peppers and red beans, again for flavour, texture and health as much as to make it cheaper.

Sublime_2

Loads of garlic, onion, grated carrot, grated celery (If I have it), lentils, and mushrooms. If making a cottage pie I add peas, and chopped carrots, parsnips. If spag bol, loads of mushrooms, tomatoes. For a chilli, tomatoes, and two tins of kidney beans.

tiny_courageous

I'm not mad keen on bulking out with lentils, I don't like the texture it gives, but oats make lasagne filling lovely and creamy. I'd generally put in carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes.

Buddingblonde

Another vote for TVP (textured veg protein) - big bags available from Holland and Barratt. Soak it in a beef stock and then add to the mince.

Alison_Funnell

Buddingblonde wrote: »

Another vote for TVP (textured veg protein) - big bags available from Holland and Barratt. Soak it in a beef stock and then add to the mince.

Exactly what I do.

beautiful_ravens

I tried the oats thing once, I could really tell they were there and I hardly put any in, I am not a fussy eater at all, but I didnt like it, in fact no one ate it

But I also tried grated carrot, works a treat. Even better is soya mince, I use mince and soya mince so theres still some actual meat in there, but the soya stuff bulks up the meal. I have also sometimes added in that instant mashed potato, but you have to know when to stop!!

Edit: And breadcrumbs, forgot about breadcrumbs

LisaLou1982

I always add loads of veg-
if im making spag bol, i add a chopped pepper, courgette, onion and some mushrooms. sometimes an aubergine too. We're all big eaters here and that will serve 6 easily x x