Using lentils basics

[JC03745]

I often see people saying to add lentils to bulk out meals/cut down on meat etc- but how? I've bought a bag of red lentils I'd like to use.
Do I rinse the lentils and add in raw to the cooked mince (say into a cottage pie before baking)?
Do they need cooking before being added to the rest of the meal or with the main meal?
Some other prep required?

In cottage pie (or most meat dishes) I'd add them after browning the meat, at the same time as adding the liquid. You'll need a bit extra liquid, so keep an eye on it.

I usually rinse them and then add them to a curry/ bolgnese sauce or soup when I add the tomato/water and stock and cook it all for about 30ish mins
Have also made lentil type flatbread things if you whizz up dry lentils mix with some water and salt it makes a paste and you can fry them they are really nice! Hundreds of recipes out there!

I boil them first and then add to sauce, but I don’t eat meat, I don’t know if that changes things.

I personally don't like using red lentils to bulk out things as I find they go a bit mushy. I like green lentils as they retain their shape.

I wouldnt use red lentils for things like that, I would have bought a cheap tin of green, they hold their shape so like little nuggets of meat, in things like bolognese or mince or shepherds pie

But in soup and curries is there the red lentils come in, where there is more of a soupy saucy need for them

I only really use red lentils in soups and dahls. Use extra liquid as they absorb an awful lot.

As a mince replacement I use brown or green lentils.

Rinse well and throw in with everything else

Thanks everyone. I re-read my OP and it might seem I don't/can't cook at all! I'm a competent cook and make nearly every meal from scratch, but other than a dhal many years ago, I haven't used lentils much. I never even considered that red are for soups and green/brown are more for bulking out mince etc. Good to know. (off to shops to find green/brown ones now) 😀

Red lentils are the best!

I cooked them today with spices and left out the garlic, just added vinegar, bag of mixed veggies 6 fresh tomato lemon juice salt and tined tomato 2 small yellow onions cooked in the electric pressure cooker.....oh I also cooked with rice.

Its a delicious batch cooked meal. Can be frozen, and defrosted on the kitchen counter top, then microwaved at meal times.

Add any veggies you like. Having ice cream for afters🤩

I don't soak red lentils. I do soak green and brown kentils.

I use tinned brown lentils in bolognaise (just rinse and throw in) though I’m sure red would be fine.

Green lentils are the best for bolognese sauces and chunky veg soups and stews because they have bite. Red is best for curries and tomato and lentil soup. I like red lentil tortillas but I add fajita spice and garlic powder to flavour them.

I love lentils and eat them frequently.

I prefer to make things either vegetarian and do lentils and veg or a smaller meat dish. So maybe try not bothering with the meat at all?

depends
dried red lentils 'melt' into sauces, are great to add to stews/soups.

for adding to mince, like burgers or meatloaf I use tinned green ones.

Theres no rules in cooking!

Lots of people do use red lentils in bolognese and stuff like that, it can thicken it up nicely