Home made lasagna - with lentils!!!

MrsTinks

Yep I finally braved it and made home made lasagna adding lentils to my mince And I served it up to the OH and asked him to tell me what was in it that wasn't normally... He thought I meant the mushrooms and I had to actually tell him there were lentils in the mince before he spotted them... Then he went and had seconds!!! :rotfl:

I've got some for lunch today and I think I will freeze the last 2 portions and then use the left over mince sauce (I added a few more lentils than I thought giving me rather a large pan full lol!) to make chilli for me tonight so one large meal, lunch, dinner again, and 2 freezer meals - not bad really for about £4

Kazonline

Ooo, that sounds really nice. I'll have to have a search later to see if I can find the recipe - was it on here or just something you tried? My brood love lasagne but I tend not to make it as it proves rather expensive (especially as my lot eat all of it when it's meant to serve 8)
Glad your OH enjoyed it - guess it'll be on the menu again?
Kaz x

comping_cat

That is a great idea, i often add grated carrot to our mince to bulk it out and to get extra goodness into the children, so lentils is another great way of doing both!!!!!

MrsTinks

I kinda make it up as I go usually the only "cheat" in it is the white sauce I buy that ready made

I used red lentils (the colour means it's difficult to spot) adn about 3 large handfulls (I don't do pecision cooking btw lol) and wash first then put in a pan with cold water and boil up skimming any scum off the top. Takes about 25 mins.
Take chopped onions (i use about 2 handfulls), and about 3 cloves of garlic that are chopped and sweat in a pan with a little oil. Then add the mince and cook. When the mince is nearly done add the cooked lentils. Stir well and add fresh herbs if you have them otherwise use oregano, thyme, rosemary and anything else you like . Add Wochestershire sauce (a good glug!), about 2 spoons of gravy granuals, 2 tins of tinned tomatos, a healthy dollop of tomato pure (tescos own works just fine) and I add a splash of redwine

Once cooked through then just assemble the lasagna as usual and cook in the oven at 200c until the middle bubbles. Add some grated cheddar and return to the oven until the cheese is melted

I know that looks awfully complicated but I promise you it isn't Bulk it out with any veg you fancy like peppers, mushrooms, courgette, parboiled carrots etc

garret1

I have started putting red lentils in all my tomato based sauces and brown ones in moince and tatties and shepherds pie. We all now prefer it that way!!!

Kazonline

Had a rummage around the cupboard but couldn't find any lentils to throw in todays bolognese. I'll make sure I buy some in next weeks shop and give it a go - anything that makes it go a bit further is a help.
I tend to throw a scoop of oats into my bolognese - but today I used value toms and noticed the colour isn't as rich as usuall - it looks a bit anaemic. I guess I could add tomato puree, but then the added cost defeats the point of using the cheaper toms. Perhaps I'd be better sticking to my usual Asda own chunky chopped?
Kaz x

Chell

I have started to add balsamic vinegar to tomaot based sauce rather than red wine as its much cheaper. Kaz, this would add some colour to your sauce.