Red split lentils

suki_na_tomodachi

I've had a quick search for this and can't find an answer, apologies if ive missed it somewhere.

I bought a bag of red split lentils and want to add them to a spag bol in the slow cooker, do i have to soak them or anything first or just throw them in from the start with everything else? I've never cooked with lentils or anything before but I want to cook spag bol for me and my partner ready for tomorrow night as its his favourite. And is the sauce freezable/reheatable with the lentils added to it? as i was going to freeze a few portions and keep 2 in fridge to be reheated tomorrow night as im working a long day and dont want to cook it all tomorrow.

Thanks,
Amy.

horsechestnut

I bring the lentils to the boil in a separate pan and then add to the slow cooker ingredients. I have just read that you haven't used lentils before, so, Put lentils in enough cold water to just cover them and bring to the boil, before adding to the slow cooker. If you want to cook lentils normally put them in the pan with twice as much water as lentils, bring them to the boil, then just simmer them for 15 minutes, adding a little more water if necessary. WATCH, lentils can burn if there isn't enough liquid or the heat is on too high. But in fact once you get used to then they are very easy to cook and use.
Yes, you can freeze the food very successfully. You can also cook up a big batch of lentils and freeze them in portions ready for use when you want to add them to dishes.

savingqueen

Personally I just bung them in the slowcooker at the beginning without any prep and they cook fine. The sauce freezes fine as well.

Scorpio_girlie

I agree with savingqueen - I just chuck them in the slowcooker - no problem at all!!


SG
x

Seakay

red lentils don't need pre-soaking and will freeze after cooking, either alone or in a recipe.
Recipes containing red lentils can be reheated

SailorSam

I normally add them to the slowcooker towards the end when everything is cooked. I always rince them under running water for a minute before i add them.

maman

Scorpio_girlie wrote: »

I agree with savingqueen - I just chuck them in the slowcooker - no problem at all!!


SG
x

Split lentils are about the only one of the pulses that you don't need to pre-cook. I made lentil soup yesterday and just poured them into SC with the other ingredients.


As you've never done it before OP, I'd go easy on how many lentils you add. They'll thicken up your Bolognese which is good but you don't want it to be a solid blob. Personally I add loads of chopped veg (onions, mushrooms, carrots, peppers) to my Bolognese to help stretch it.