How do you ‘bulk out’ meals with lentils?

[Bluemooninmyeyes1]

Ok, I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never cooked with lentils before! But we eat far too much meat in our house and we really need to cut down. I’ve seen quite a few posts on here saying that meals like spag bol, chilli etc. (basically anything that contains mince) can be bulked out with lentils. Just wanted to ask- how exactly do you do this, as in how do you cook the lentils, what type of lentils and roughly how much meat to lentils do you use in meals?

Sorry for all of the questions but I’m a ‘lentil virgin’ as you can tell

Top tip for lentils. Soak them first and throw away the water. It reduces the farts.

Lentil and bacon soup is lovely but that's the only thing I'd use red lentils for. Green all the way if you want actual taste

(why would anyone want this?! Why?!)

Help bowel movements

Quorn mince is lovely too.

@TheFormerPorpentinaScamander

I tried bulking out my bolognese with red lentils. It was rank. They seemed to cancel out all the flavour and had a really mushy texture. Not doing that again!

I still have 1.5 bags to use for something

Make this. It's amazing, I add chillis and omit leeks.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/red-lentil-coconut-soup/amp

Red lentils. Cook them on their own until soft and then add to the main dish. I usually add around 1/3 lentils to 2/3 meat

Just cook actual lentil recipes. I love put or tiny green lentils cooked with bay, chilli and onion then mix with roasted veg. Or make lentil soup, red or green, use a bit of leftover ham.

theviewfromgreatisland.com/black-lentil-and-ham-soup/ Is fabulous.

Thanks @Everysinglebloodytime that sounds delicious!

You can use porridge oats. Stir a handful in when you brown the mince.

It's really is and it's so easy. I use frozen ginger and garlic, and frozen spinach. So it's a proper throw everything in the pan and it's ready in 30 minutes tea.

And it's got turmeric, ginger and garlic so very good for you.

I have been known to put extra lentils in and have it with rice, like a curry and if my son has some I'll chuck some prawns in for him.

I've added spinach and coconut milk to my next food order. Sounds like just the ticket for DS2 and me. Can't imagine DS1 will even agree to try it, although he might surprise me. He nibbled an olive in the summer