red lentils and pearl barley

princess_skint_a_lot_2

Hi all

im a bit of a lurker on here but this board i use like my bible. I try to live as old style as possible, and i read lots where people say how to bulk things out with lentils etc. I was just wondering if anyone had any recipes where i could use lentils and how to cook that and pearl barley i would be really grateful as i have just acquired a few packs of both. Sorry for being thick.

Kind regards

Princess

adelight

Red lentils are very easy to use to bulk out mince dishes, just add after browning mince and left simmer in the juices/sauce, they'll be cooked in 10-15 minutes and take on the other flavours. Pearl barley I personally only use in soups, stews and the SC.

Search for bulking out mince and you'll find loads more ideas.

Sassers

Hi there
:wave:
This is what I do with pearl barley at home.....
It’s a bung-it-all-in type of recipe that takes any odds and sods you may have lurking in the fridge and cupboard. Much like couscous....

Take as much pearl barley as you like and cook in plenty of water and stock. I use my slow cooker and put a whole packet in....
When soft, drain and leave to cool.
Meanwhile, chop up finely one red pepper, a couple of onions, tomatoes and fresh herbs such as coriander or mint.
Add and mix to the pearl barley and also mix in a good glug of vinaigrette, extra garlic (granules or freshly chopped) plus a pinch of chilli flakes if you like. Salt and pepper to taste.....
Cover and put in fridge to cool. Good alternative to pasta salad or coleslaw.
Nom nom nom
Love Sassers x

Pink.

Hi

I use them both in soups and casseroles. Red lentils tend to sort of 'disolve' (sorry can't think of a better word) when cooked but barley plumps up and is really tasty. I never soak them before cooking.

These existing threads should give you some ideas:

Uses for barley?

red lentils

Pearl barley-to soak or not to soak?

How much dried lentils, pearly barley etc.

Pink

Seakay

Barley can be used as an alternative to rice, and cooks in about the same time as brown rice:
http://vegetarian.about.com/od/glossary/g/barley.htm

ready for Wimbledon, barley water is quite easy and is good for your kidneys:
http://thefoody.com/drinks/barleywater.html

you can even have a go at making it without sugar if you want to be super healthy!
http://www.herbs-hands-healing.co.uk/drinks/barleywater.html

laughing_cow

I make this soup all the time, it's lovely (and healthy and cheap):

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/333614/red-lentil-chickpea-and-chilli-soup

415SanFran

have a look at the cheap family meals site.

They have a brilliant pate that is made out of red lentils, I have also used it as a dip.
Not quite what you were asking I know, but it is good

MindaJ

Pearl barley makes a great alternative to aborio rice in risotto. I find it has a more chewy, wholegrain-type taste to it. It cooks exactly the same way, it just might take a little longer. Bottom of the fridge risotto is one of my favourite frugal meals.

I've recently been cooking lentils with my rice. I just throw them in when the rice is almost done, really easy! I've recently become obsessed with eating stir fried veggies with brown rice and I've found that by adding lentils I stay fuller for longer. If there's any rice and lentil mix left over I use it for fried rice. It doesn't affect the taste at all.

marmiterulesok

Hi,

I make a big pot of vegetable soup every week and always add about 100g of red lentils and the same of pearl barley.No need to rinse,soak or precook.

The lentils disintegrate BTW.

ANGELB

A favourite wholesome soup is Tomato and Lentil. Really easy, onion, garlic, tin tomatoes, 3/4 litre of veggie stock and a good handful of rinsed red lentils (I even put some quinoa, another type of grain, v good for you, that I had lurking in the cupboad in). Fry off the onions and garlic or for the healthy through all the veg and tomatoes in a pan with the stock bring to the boil, add the lentils and simmer until cooked. Keep checking and add extra veg stock if necessary. It's lovely with crispbreads. When it cools down it thickens again so simply add more stock and reheat gently.

Vaila

Both are staples in my house. We use barley instead of rice as it has a much nicer chewier texture. Barley can be used in saladslike coucous or in soups.stews to bulk them out

Lentils, well salads,soups and stews too. Great because they do not need to soak overnight. Lentil flan is also yummy, but another simple meal is lentil dhal