red lentils 13 July 2006 at 10:37AM edited 30 November -1 at 1:00AM in Old Style MoneySaving 208 replies 27.6K views

newlywed

celyn90 wrote: »

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: how wonderfully devious!! :rotfl:

I added grated carrots in to mine so when they asked what the orange was, I could say must be carrots

Took the kids about 6 months or more to even notice and ask what the "orange dots" were

I don't pre-boil mine, but I tend to cook my bolognaise type sauce in the slow cooker all day

Orange29

So if I had cooked it long enough i wouldn't have had to handpick them out?
Ha, will know for next time!

newlywed

Orange29 wrote: »

So if I had cooked it long enough i wouldn't have had to handpick them out?
Ha, will know for next time!

Think the pack usually says 30-40 minutes or something - so just cook the sauce longer, you will see the lentils kind of swell and then (as long as any meat is cooked and not still raw ) just fish one out to test between your teeth - that's what I do anyways . Longer you cook them the less they look like "dots" - which is where I got caught out I think

debbym

Oh BTW don't use ones that have been sitting at the back of the cupboard for years - they don't soften

celyn90 - glad you like it:D

ashbart

Following some advice, I have decided to add some red lentils (instead of oats) to my spaghetti bolognaise and chilli to bulk them out and make them more filling.

I have never cooked with red lentils before - can someone help me? Do I need to soak them or cook them before I put them into the sauces? If so, how long do I cook them for and when should they be added into the meals?

Thanks!

JennyW_2

ashbart wrote: »

Following some advice, I have decided to add some red lentils (instead of oats) to my spaghetti bolognaise and chilli to bulk them out and make them more filling.

I have never cooked with red lentils before - can someone help me? Do I need to soak them or cook them before I put them into the sauces? If so, how long do I cook them for and when should they be added into the meals?

Thanks!

are they in a tin? If so then you don't have to soak them - put them straight into whatever you are cooking.

If they are dry (in a packet), then yes they will need soaking prior to using. I think for about half hour but the pack will tell you.

If they are frozen - they too can be used straight away.

marybishop

ashbart - I've started doing this too. No need to pre-soak or cook them before, just add to the meal but they will need about 30 - 40 mins cooking time so put them in as soon as you've added all the other ingredients. They thicken casseroles, etc beautifully - well worth a try. They will soak up some of the liquid so keep an eye on it and add more if necessary.

[Deleted User]

just throw a handful in when you start cooking the bolognese. They don`t need soaking and will cook in 25 minutes. Just make sure you have enough liquid as they soak it up

http://www.recipetips.com/kitchen-tips/t--975/all-about-lentils.asp

ashbart

Thank you, thank you, and thank you! I will chuck them in and hope for the best!

Penelope_Penguin

Hi, there! I throw red lentils into sauces with the tinned tomatoes. I find I need to add more liquid, as the lentils soak up quite a lot.

We have an older thread on lentils, so I'll add this one, to keep suggestions together.

Penny. x