Bulking out Meals?

Nottoobadyet

what exactly do people do with the lentils? do you cook them separately first then put them in or bung them in dried and let them expand as it simmers?

msb5262

If adding red lentils, I just put them in and let them cook (but make sure the mixture isn't too dry as they need to be combined with liquid).

Penelope_Penguin

tiny_courageous wrote: »

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.

Nottoobadyet wrote: »

what exactly do people do with the lentils? do you cook them separately first then put them in or bung them in dried and let them expand as it simmers?

I like to use red lentils with mince, and Puy lentils with beef I also add lots of vegetables and tinned tomatoes. I add the raw, unsoaked lentils with the liquid, and then cook on low in the Rayburn for a couple of hours. The lentils mush down nicely

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, I'll add it to the existing thread on bulking out to give you more ideas.

Penny. x

Toomuchdebt

I have read several things referring to adding oats to mince to make it go further...but no details...how much and what kind of oats and does it makle any difference to the taste?I'll do anything to try and make the meat go a bit further.

Pink.

Hi Toomuchdebt,

I use veg and lentils to bulk out mince with great results. I've never tried bulking it out with porridge oats as I don't fancy that, but others have tried it with mixed results. You need to be aware that the oats really do swell so you can end up with bolognese flavoured porridge so if you choose this method just try using very little to start with. There are more thoughts on this thread:

Bulking out Meals?

I'll add your thread to that one later to keep the replies together.

Pink

Sublime_2

I add 1/2 a cup of red lentils, plus 2/3 grated carrots to about 500 gm mince, to bulk mine out.

2009ismyyear

I made some sausage balls (sausage meat, onion, garlic etc) and added a handfull of oats to about a pound - couldn't tell they were there!

MrsBartolozzi

Yes, I agree with other posters going slowly is the key. When cooking say 500g of mince I will add about a palmful of oats, not very much really, and see how it goes, perhaps adding another big pinch later. Not very accurate measurements I'm afraid, but I always had the fear of meaty porridge so was never heavy handed about it. Seems to give me another portion or so of bolog/chili so I am happy with that. I wouldn't add oats to mince that wasn't in a sauce though.

Toomuchdebt

Thank you-I will give it a try next time I make something with mince Usually once a week here so probably Thursday.

gunsandbanjos

I've tried bulking out mince, definitely prefer red lentils to oats.