Really stupid question..................

kezzae

Hi All,

Im trying to cut down on our grocery shop and have spent all morning reading the Food and Grocery thread and the article on 'dropping a brand'. I always buy branded but am willing to try anything to save money on food. I made a list of items people recommended on the sainsbury's basic range and have done my shopping online to be delivered tomorrow.

Ok, I read alot of posts that recommened 'bulking' your spag bogs n chilli con carnes out with red lentils to make the food go further and I have bought some. I have never used lentils before so can someone tell me what I have to do with them before adding them to my meals? Please dont laugh.......................

McKneff

Nobodys laughing - I'm not sure whether you steep them overnight or just put them in a casserole as they are. I remember when we used to have dried marrowfat peas when we were kids they used to get steeped overnight in a bowl with a white tablet so i dont know if dried lentils have to be treated the same.
I always say you cant know anything until you are taught it.
Ask any electrician if he can knit and i bet he'll say no and why - because nobody ever taught him. Same as nobody ever taught me how to be an electrician.

Allegra

Nothing to laugh about - how are you supposed to know if you have never done it before ? Red lentils only take 15-20 minutes to go mushy and disappear into the sauce, so you don't need to do anything to them beforehand at all - just chuck them in at the same time as you add water to the soup/stew/sauce. Don't go overboard on the first try, though, as the texture can be a bit unappealing if the lentils take over - just add a small handful, and then if that goes down well, add a little bit more next time.

Good luck with reducing your grocery bill !

CCP

Not a stupid question at all - I was a bit puzzled the first time I used them, too!

I find they can be a bit dusty so give them a quick wash first, drain them, then just throw them in at the same time you add the stock / tomatoes / whatever type of liquid you're using in your dish.

That's what I do with them, anyway!

CCP

You beat me to it, Allegra!

freakyogre

I never thought to do this until I saw it on here and I just chucked some in (I use a slow cooker if it makes any difference).

I'll definitely do it from now on as it gave it an almost creamy texture. Mmm!

McKneff

So how do we make lentil soup please.

kezzae

Thanks Guys, So when I make Spag Bog I can added the tinned tomatoes and a handful of washed lentils, yes? Thats what we're having for dinner tomorrow, so I will report back and let you know how it went..............

CCP

kezzae wrote: »

Thanks Guys, So when I make Spag Bog I can added the tinned tomatoes and a handful of washed lentils, yes? Thats what we're having for dinner tomorrow, so I will report back and let you know how it went..............

Sounds very good to me. But then spag bol's my favourite. (That's the closest I can get to a smily licking it's lips hungrily!)

LameWolf

CCP wrote: »

Sounds very good to me. But then spag bol's my favourite. (That's the closest I can get to a smily licking it's lips hungrily!)

I think you want this one, CCP: :drool:
The only stupid question is the one you don't ask, imho.;)
For what it's worth, I just bung red lentils into veggie stew, which I do in the micro, and they seem to vanish in nicely.

CCP

LameWolf wrote: »

I think you want this one, CCP: :drool:


Yep, that's the one! I'm hungry now - shame it's several hours til dinner! And now I'm going to break an important money saving rule and go shopping while I'm hungry. I will be good. I will!