Mince quantity question (stretching and portion sizes)?

DigForVictory

Um, small warning - lentils can cause gas - so start with a smaller than you'd hoped amount & see if you need to tether the duvet...

maman

Do go ahead and try the lentils but personally I find using veg to bulk out mince works fine. So plenty of carrots, onions and anything else like mushrooms or leeks that I've got in. Lentils tend to cost about £2 per kg IIRC so the veg is cheaper too.

I use lentils for making yummy soup from the stock of a gammon joint.

cornishchick

My husband hates it when I bulk out bolignase with chopped veg.. so I stopped........
Now I add a hand full of lentles and some finely crated carrot...... shh....;)

Steve059

Grated carrot was the traditional way for farmer's wives to pad out cottage/shepherds pie.

I sometimes use chopped mushroom in my Bolognese sauce or chilli con carne and even I can't tell the difference.

iris

I use a handful of Lentilles Vertes (green) as they seem to disappear into my stews/bolognaise better than the red type.
I also use grated carrot and celery.

Butterfly_Brain

You only need a small handful of lentils, just rinse them and have a quick check for stones, I also add lots of extra veggies to bulk meals out.

Meadows

moo842 wrote: »

Well, I've read so much on here about adding lentils to bulk out mince, so I'm off to buy my first pack... But do I soak them first? For how long?
If I'm using 250g mince how many lentils do I add??
I hope someone can help :-)

No need to soak red lentils and to start with just add a small handful and then increase to suit taste/dish.

[Deleted User]

I also sometimes use ordinary porridge oats if I run a bit short on lentils, handy if its saves you having to go to the shop for just one thing.

moo842

Thank you everyone, made lasagne tonight and wouldn't have known any difference
:-)