adding lentils to "bulk" up a dish

[mothersmilk]

do you just add them straight into it, say bolognaise for instance do i cook it and add the lentils whilst it simmers?
tia

Thats what I do, Red dried lentils straight in to pot while cooking, simmer for 20 mins

If using tinned lentils, I tend to add them toward end of cooking time

What about Pearl Barley?

I mean, it's good, you should try it.

red and green lentils are good to pop straight into the pot. The barley I have produces qute a lot of "scum" so I would boil it for ten minutes first in another pot, drain it to get rid of the scum and then pop it in your casserole.