Lentils; the supercheap superfood.

diddydiddydondon

I am currently feeding a family of five on 40 quid a week. Hence the discovery of lentils, which can be bought by the sack load are healthy, tasty and a cheap source of excellent protien. However, I have a fairly limited list that I cook. Help please to compile a list of super cheap super meals.
Here are 2 of my favorites.

1. Lentil and Tomato Soup.
1 Chopped Onions softened in oil, Then add 250g (I'm guessing) red lentils, 1Value tin of tomatoes. 1200ml stock , tom puree 1/2 teaspoon of thyme 1/2 teaspoon of marmite. cover and simmer for 30 mins. Liqiuise.Delicious served with grated cheese and lots of black pepper.

2.Curried lentil Soup.
Chop 2 onions and 4 cloves of garlic, soften in butter and oil. 1 large dessert spoon of pataks(can i say the brand?) korma paste sir in and sweat for a few mins. Add 500g of red lentils, veg bouillion and 1200mls of water. simmer for 30 mins. Liquidise. My kids love this served over basmati rice.

Adjust amount of lentil/liquid according to how thick you like your soup.

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THE SHIP SAILS EAST, THE SHIP SAILS WEST
BY THE SELF-SAME WIND THAT BLOWS
ITS THE SET OF THE SAILS
AND NOT THE GALES
THAT DETERMINES THE WAY IT GOES
WHEN THE WINDS OF CHANGE BLOW ADJUST YOUR SAILS

Gingernutmeg

Lentil dhal, cheap and yummy and delicious served with rice.

CountryWife_2

Lentil Stew with Potato crust

Saute some onion and celery, add garlic, ginger, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground turmeric and fry for a couple of minutes. Add 2oz brown or green lentils and 6oz red lentils, 1 pint stock, salt and pepper, cook for a while, add fresh,chopped or frozen spinach. Put into ovenproof dish.
Dice some cooked potatoes, fry in butter and mustard seeds until brown, and add these to the top of the stew.
Cook in oven for 30 minutes.
one of my favourite winter dishes, yum.

diddydiddydondon

That sounds yum, I'll try on Friday thanx

Pink.

Hi diddydiddydondon,

There are some recipes and links on these older threads that might help:

red lentils

Green lentils

Jars and jars of LENTILS! What can I do with them?!

Puy Lentils - any ideas?

Pulses quick questions thread.

Pink

oops_a_daisy

Hi diddydiddydondon :hello:

I make a lentil & tomato soup pretty much the same as yours but I also add a couple of carrots ( roughly blended ) and a clove of garlic. I use lea & perrins instead of marmite. I also serve it with parmesan sprinkled on top - yummy

nodwah

I nicked a recipe out of an old mag in the holiday cattage we were just at:
Red Lentil tart
200g lentils, blasted in the food processor til they're a fine powder then mix in 100g soft butter to make a paste. Spread this a thinly as poss over a tart tin base and up the sides and then bake blind for 5-6 min at 200 deg C. You can then add and quiche type filling you fancy.

I haven't tried this yet but it sounds good as I'm wheat-free but keep falling off the wagon with pastry type things!

Gingham_Ribbon

I use red lentils and split peas now as a base for lots of soups. I usually add veg stock, a couple of potatoes, some carrots and an onion for a thick, creamy, sweet soup. I add other veg too for 'leftovers soup' and cauliflower, leek, broccoli, turnip, swede are favourites.

Red cabbage is NOT good in it though. I tried it a week or two ago and it went very brown and when it cooled it got an almost black top layer and no-one could face eating it a second time even though I'm sure it tasted fine.

Oh, and a big dollop of brown sauce works a treat in it.

catkins

I make lentil bolognaise - just use lentils instead of mince with the usual tomatoes, mushrooms etc. Also lentil shepherds pie which I also put veg in.

Lentil patties are nice. Just cook some lentils - green are best for this as red go too mushy. Grate some carrot and/or courgette. Add them to the lentils together with mixed herbs, flour, chopped spring onion and an egg. Mix together, form into patties and shallow fry. Sorry I have not given exact amounts but I just tend to guess at quantities when I cook!!

Lentil curry is another favourite, particularly the lentil and egg curry recipe by Delia Smith.

moanymoany

Went into town this am to pick up new specs. While there I checked out 2 charity shops and found the Vegetarian Kitchen by Sarah Brown. I found this recipe - and thought of you ,as I had read this thread this morning. I'm going to include it in my next lot of meal plans.

Cheese and Lentil Loaf
6oz red lentils
12 fl oz water
4 oz grated cheddar cheese
1 finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
half teaspoon cayenne pepper
little lemon juice
1 large egg
3 tablespoons single cream (I would use milk!)
salt and pepper
1 teaspoon butter/marge

Heat the oven to gas 5, 375f, 190c

wash and pick over the lentils. Put in a tightly covered pan with the water and cook to a thick puree, about 10 – 15 minutes. If it sticks add a little water, but it should be a stiff puree.

Remove the pan from the heat. Mix in the cheese, onion, parsley, cayenne pepper and lemon juice. Season to taste.

In a separate bowl lightly beat the egg, stir in the cream and pour over the lentils.

Grease a 1lb loaf tin with the butter/marge. Press in the mixture and bake for 45/50 mins till firm to touch and the top is golden brown.

Leave in the tin for 10 mins before turning out. Eat hot or cold.

Layered Tomato Loaf

You can layer with tomatoes. Wash and slice 1 lb toms. Put a third of lentil mix in the tin, layer half of toms, another layer of lentil mix, rest of toms, final layer of lentil mix. Cook as above. Eat hot or cold.

I had a veggie friend in New Zealand in the early 70's. She and her hubby made fab nut roasts and lots of things with lentils.

diddydiddydondon

Cheers everybody my family willbe grateful for new flavours