Lentils-ingredient of the day-12/16/13

[greyhoundgirl]

Lentils, another ingredient I don't use nearly enough.  We have tried a few different kinds:  the brownish type you get in the store, red lentils, green lentils, and French lentils.  French lentils are my favorite overall (a dark grayish-black color), in part because they hold their shape well when cooked.  Red ones turn to mush in my experience but work fine in soups.

Favorite uses so far:
Cooking up about 2 cups of them with water, then mixing cooked lentils with ground beef and using for tacos (with seasoning).

Cooking up equal parts lentils and rice, adding taco seasoning or similar spices and using in tacos, burritos, or just as "bowl" filling with toppings.

This soup:  http://penniesandpancakes.blogspot.com/2013/03/slow-cooker-lentil-black-bean-soup-023.html#.Uq8bPfRDvCd

I have this on the menu but haven't made it yet:  http://simplybeingmum.com/2012/10/11/spicy-slow-cooked-carrot-ginger-lentil-soup-recipe/

Also this one, which sounds tasty:  http://simplybeingmum.com/2010/11/08/simple-spinach-and-sweet-potato-soup-slow-cooker-recipe/

[Proudmama]

I use lentils sort of regularly depending on the season.  I use them more in the fall and winter than spring or summer.

I use them to make sloppy Joannas as I call them, lentil curry, a lentil soup and a soup with sweet potatoes, carrots and apples.  I have also used them to make a veggie burger.  I have many more recipes that I would like to try and plan on doing so in the new year.

Denise

[Cheryl]

I'm reviving this thread because I have a pot of cooked lentils and need ideas.

Catherine - are the lentils well-disguised when used in the taco recipe?  I would love to be able to use them to stretch the ground beef.

Denise - do you use lentils in place of, or in addition to, hamburger meat when you make sloppy joannas?  I'm also interested in your veggie burger recipe.

[greyhoundgirl]

Cheryl, you can tell the lentils are there if you look at it.  But the taste is good with the taco seasoning in there.

[Cheryl]

Let's just hope no one looks at it then!  Meat prices are outrageous and if I can pull this off I'll be happy.

[pamgonzo]

Cheryl:
Here is a blog post that might be of interest to you.

http://be-it-ever-so-humble.blogspot.com/2012/10/how-to-substitute-lentils-for-ground.html

Good luck!
Pam

[Proudmama]

Cheryl - I am mostly vegetarian (I eat seafood occasionally) so I use the lentils in place of the meat.  I should say that only myself and my one daughter eat them - the rest of the family are meat eaters.😊

Unfortunately, i can't remember which veggie burger recipe I used.  Because of my back issue, i haven't cooked much since before the summer.  Sorry!

Denise