red lentils

PipneyJane

For that quantity of beef, I'd use half a cup of lentils. Start by adding a quarter of a cup of lentils, then gradually increase to half a cup if nobody notices. Add them early, i.e. at the same time as you add tinned tomatoes or liquid, and they'll cook in really well. (Needs about a half hour simmer to disappear.) If you are worried about diluting the meaty flavour, add a beef stock-cube.

Also, you can pad mince out very well by adding a grated carrot or two. Grated courgette works well if you've got a friend with a glut. You can always grate these in batches and freeze the excess. (One of my colleagues brought in two huge courgettes for me last year. They'd grown like mad while she was on holiday. I got 8 bags of grated courgette out of them.)

It's a pity we aren't allowed to post links to our own blogs. I wrote a post years ago about padding out mince meals. Think it's called "Minced Beef And Other Possibilities".

short_bird

There are lots of ace recipes for Lentil Bolognese once everybody's got used to the idea...:D

abitofhelp

I add a couple of handfulls or two, but i only have small hands. Oats are also another item you can add to bulk out meals. The grated veg idea really works, its surprising by how much they stretch your meal. I keep bags ready grated in the freezer containing a large onion, a couple of carrots & celery stick. Peppers are also good to add.

marmiterulesok

SqueekyMouse wrote: »

Hello! I've recently become a stay at home mum, which I love, but we're finding money a bit tight, so I love reading this forum for all its tips on how to save that little bit more - Thank you!!!

So after browsing through a couple of threads the other day I discovered that red lentils can be added to lots of dishes to bulk them out and they don't need soaking before using. Now I need some advice... what amount of lentils would be appropriate to add to a lasagne/spag bol made from 400g mince without effecting the taste/texture?


And also out of interest why do you have to rinse the lentils before use?

I never rinse them and I'm still here...

SqueekyMouse

Thanks for the replies. Some great ideas, I hadn't thought of adding oats, might try that next time...

We already add lots of chopped veg - carrots/peppers/courgettes, but still wanted to stretch the meat a little further!!

I'm glad I don't have to sneak the lentils/veg in - my OH wants to save the pennies possibly more than I do and is open to anything and my LO hasn't decided to be picky about what she eats yet, but I'm sure that time will come...

SqueekyMouse

marmiterulesok wrote: »

I never rinse them and I'm still here...

yes, but are you "dusty"???:rotfl:

BitterAndTwisted

If you you're really keen on turning your weekly food-budget into elastic consider having a couple of veggie meals a week. As you're a stay-at-home Mum you should have the opportunity to plan ahead and soak beans and pulses overnight. If you're interested in some recipes I can't recommend Rose Elliott's "Bean Book" highly enough. I got it for a quid or so on Amazon. Her Boston Baked Beans recipe is heavenly. And the Lentil Pate. And. And.

marmiterulesok

SqueekyMouse wrote: »

yes, but are you "dusty"???:rotfl:

Maybe just a little bit!

An alternative is yellow split lentils or moong dhaal.You don't need to soak them either.They're very small in size.Probably cheapest getting them and the red split lentils in an Indian cornershop.Good source of protein.

I've also used porridge oats as a 'filler'.

Happy cooking!

SqueekyMouse

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

If you you're really keen on turning your weekly food-budget into elastic consider having a couple of veggie meals a week.

Wow! just read your post to my OH who says "Yes I'm open to any idea, but I'm not going veggie - mind you maybe I should, I've had 3 different types of meat today" :rotfl:

Anyway the lasagne plus lentils was a great success - tasted great and we had one to eat and one to freeze. My 10 month old ate a ton, so I'm very happy:D

Thanks chaps x

zippychick

ive mrged this with an older red lentil thread. I never rinse them - just add by the handful and add a little more water to account for their increase in size.

this thread may be of use as will bulking out meals

Zip