chilli old style help

joisey

I want to make a bit pot of chilli and need to make the mince go as far as possible...

I have put on the shopping list red lentils, but have never ever cooked them! do they need soaking before I cook them??

so far will be putting in..

2 chopped onions
packet of beef mince
2 tins tomatoes
1 tin kidney beans
1 tin baked beans
lentils
asda instant porridge (we bought for dd and she doesnt like, so needs using)
sweetcorn
crushed garlic
chilli powder

does this look ok???

nopot2pin

You dont need to soak red lentils, as they cook quite quickly.

You could also add peppers, courgettes and mushrooms to bulk it out, if you wished... and provide more veg in your diet


Edit.. personally, I would use either use the oats, or the lentils...but not both. But that is just a personal choice... others may use both.
Also, if its instant porridge, it may have sweeteners in it, so might be worth checking before you add it.

Sunnyday

The red lentils will need a good few rinses before using them

Sorry if you already know this but thought i`d post just in case you didn`t.

HTH

SD

Bongedone

Also add cumin powder if you have it.

joisey

i could go for a different take and add chocolate ready brek lol

oh doesnt like musrooms, but will add peppers, thanks

nopot2pin

joisey wrote: »

i could go for a different take and add chocolate ready brek lol

oh doesnt like musrooms, but will add peppers, thanks

:rotfl::rotfl:
Chocolate does go well with chilli......... :rotfl::rotfl:

Trinny

joisey wrote: »

I want to make a bit pot of chilli and need to make the mince go as far as possible...

I have put on the shopping list red lentils, but have never ever cooked them! do they need soaking before I cook them??

so far will be putting in..

2 chopped onions
packet of beef mince
2 tins tomatoes
1 tin kidney beans
1 tin baked beans
lentils
asda instant porridge (we bought for dd and she doesnt like, so needs using)
sweetcorn
crushed garlic
chilli powder

does this look ok???

Hi There

Your list looks pretty good - most things have been said already. To make this go further you could add soya mince - most supermarkets stock it - cook it according to the pack and add it in - this would give more meaty texture.

Watch the oats - too much can make it too oaty and too much like wallpaper paste.

the red lentils dont need to be soaked or pre cooked - add them slowly a handful at a time.

You could add extra onion, peppers, tins of toms, mushrooms, another tin of beans etc - budget allowing.

Ketchup can be used to add to the tomato flavour.

Otherwise - serve the sauce on the runny side so it goes further, and add plenty of rice - if this helps Mr S does basics tortilla chips for 19p - salted.

Trin

gorgeous_gwen

I usually grate a couple of carrots and fry them with the onion, it softens them up so you hardly notice them.

maryb

I find if I add both lentils and carrots I need to add more tomato puree as otherwise it looks a dull colour and doesn't look very appetising (and then 'they' know I've sneaked extra veg in!)

oscar52

nopot2pin wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl:
Chocolate does go well with chilli......... :rotfl::rotfl:

Authentic chilli actually has bitter chocolate in it.

Stephen_Leak

To each 500g of mince ...

Add 2 teaspoons of ground cumin. Cumin is an Asian spice, but the Spanish brought it with them to the New World.

Add 2 squares of dark chocolate. Use at least 70% cocoa cooking chocolate for preference, but dark eating chocolate will do. Chocolate comes from the New World, and is used as an everyday cooking ingredient.