Lentils

hbk2006

Hi I have been reading through old threads and noticed people talking about using lentils to bulk up meals....how do you do this? I've never cooked lentils and unsure how to cook them and which ones to use?

Thanks

trolleyrun

I use red lentils in the slow cooker when I make spag Bol sauce etc. I also chuck a handful in a soup sometimes as well. Have a look at the packet next time you're in the shops, they should have instructions on the back. I don't even like lentils, but a little bit in a mix of other things doesn't flavour it

hbk2006

thanks, I wasn't sure if I needed to cook them before adding them to recipes or if I throw them in raw?

Pink.

I add red and green lentils to soups stews and casseroles. They add protein and act as good thickeners. Some people use porridge oats as well. I don't as they can thicken the dish too much and you can end up with savoury flavoured porridge!

This thread has lots of advice that should help:

Padding out meals

I'll add this thread to that one later.

Pink

SailorSam

I put them in curries and casseroles, I've probably got about 10/12 different types. Most need soaking overnight and the bigger ones i'll boil for 20mins before they go in the slowcooker.

THIRZAH

If you do find that you like lentils check out the ethnic section of the supermarket . They often have large bags of lentils which are much cheaper .

Elliesmum

The very small red lentils can go into curries, spag bols, chillis, soups etc by just chucking in a handful as these ones do not need soaking or pre-boiling. If you wish them to be 'invisible' then do not put too many in as you will see them and picky members of the family will notice and winge!!!!

HTHs

EM xx

Seraph123

Hi
I use red lentils to make spicy tomato and lentil soup. A big handful of lentils, large onion chopped, carton of passata (Li*l 29p), fill the empty carton with water and add that too, chicken/veg stock cube (al*i's are great). Cook till lentils are soft and have sort of burst then cool and liquidise. It will be quite thick so add some more water depending on how thick/thin you like it. Season with salt and pepper, good squirt of spicy tomato ketchup (al*i's again) and chilli powder to taste.

That makes lunch for me on two days and one evening meal with toasted cheese sarnies for me and DB. It freezes well too.

TravellingAbuela

I go through loads of lentils! I make a Red Lentil, Tomato & Basil soup which costs a pittance to make. When it's blended you wouldn't know the lentils are in there! Another favourite is Red Lentil & Bacon soup which again costs a pittance to make (using Sainsbury's cooking bacon!). My favourite use for brown lentils is an old Delia recipe for lentil soup - it makes a pretty big panful and is so tasty!

Other than using in soups just chuck a few in Bolognese, slow cooker casseroles etc, as others have suggested. You'll wonder how you ever lived without them I promise you!!

Rainbow82

Lentils are great for padding out meals, the ones I like for this are red lentils and green lentils (off topic but found both in my home bargains last week 69p for 500g bags if the crazy jacks organic, this made me silly happy lol). Grated carrot is also good for padding out mince and us more invisible I find as well. Try them in pretty much anything abd if you like them try some lentil based meals if you like them too, I made lentil curry on Tuesday, four large portions for 60p or five portions if eaten with rice, yummy bargainous food.

shell2001

I had lentils in an Italian once served with fish, I had never had them before but they were yum. Anyone know how you would cook them as a dish like that, is instead of potatoes or other side dish?