What would you do with these lentils?

[Mickey'snewestfan]

I am making taco meat for dinner, and decided to try doubling the recipe with 1/2 cooked lentils and 1/2 ground beef.

However, I guess I'm not very bright because I started with 1 lb of meat and 1 lb of dry lentils. By the time I was 1/2 way through cooking it was apparent that 1 lb of dry lentils turns into several lbs of cooked lentils and that, mixed with 1 lb of meat it would make WAY too much taco filling for our little family of 2.

So, I eyeballed it and put in probably twice as much lentils as meat, and seasonings etc . . .

But I still have about 1/2 a lb (uncooked, so lots cooked) lentils. It's already cooked, and I don't know what to do with it. I hope someone has an idea of what to do with it. I have some broth, and some veggies and a can of tomatoes. Could I make this:

http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/vegetablesoupwithdumplings.htm or a variation thereon or would I need to have cooked the lentils with the seasonings?

Alternatively, could I freeze it plain and add it next time I make tacos?

Finally, can I freeze the prepared meat/lentil mixture? Otherwise I guess we're having some variation on tacos every day this week. (taco salad? brown rice bowl? taco meat over a baked potato?)

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

You could still use them in lentil soup, I guess. I know I could make it work... but I cook without recipes quite often.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

OK BCB, tell me what to do, because I really really really can't cook. Here's what I have in the house.

cooked lentils
Carrots -- lots of carrots
Onions -- lots of onions
Peppers -- one red, one yellow
Potatoes -- lots of potatoes
Spinach -- just a little
Granny smith apples -- (that's a stretch right?)
Various and sundry frozen veggies (corn?)
A can of diced tomatoes
Chicken broth -- lots of that
Italian sausage, mild -- (I think this has potential in lentil soup, don't you?)
Salmon (somehow I think this could be good too, or am I deceiving myself)
Bacon -- 1/2 lb, but I'd rather not use it.
Garlic -- lots of garlic
Garlic pepper
Salt
Hot sauce
Lots of cream of tartar (purchased for making playdough)

Also, I have plain yogurt, and grated sharp cheddar cheese in case that would make a good garnish, and some biscuits I could serve on the side.

And various other things that I'm confident do not go in lentil soup (e.g. guacamole, frozen pizza and frozen blueberries).

Also, if I'm going to make this soup I need to freeze the rest of the taco meat. Can I just wrap it up in foil in appropriate portions and chuck it in the freezer?

Did I mention that I really really really can't cook? That my idea of a "healthy dinner" is generally "Throw some fish under the broiler, while microwaving some frozen brussel sprouts, serve with whole wheat toast".

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Shamelessly bumping this up because I need help!

 

[JessicaR]

I would make this! Yum!

Pasta e Fagioli

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pasta-e-fagioli-recipe/index.html

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Mmmmmm that looks delicious!

However, it doesn't have any lentils in the recipe. The last thing I need is a third entree with lots of leftovers!

 

[JessicaR]

Mmmmmm that looks delicious!

However, it doesn't have any lentils in the recipe. The last thing I need is a third entree with lots of leftovers!

hahaha that could be a problem! wrong recipe! Try this.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/lentil-soup-recipe/index.html

 

[LisaR]

If it was me, I would saute' the veggies you have in some broth (carrots, celery, onions, peppers, garlic). Do you have any potatoes you could toss in?

Once cooked, add the lentils and enough broth or water to make a very thick stew/soup. Not sure what seasonings you have but add some! Once heated through, add your can of tomatoes and the spinach. Remove from heat once the spinach is wilted (couples minutes tops) and add some balsamic vinegar to top it off.

That is a take off of my absolute favorite lentil soup recipe. Just made some tonight and it is delicious!

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/12/italian-lentil-and-vegetable-soup.html

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Yes, I have potatoes, but no balsamic vinegar. I don't want to go to the store tonight, but if I made this could I run out and buy the balsamic tomorrow and add it before dinner?

To be perfectly clear, that wasn't a list of some things I might have. That was pretty much everything I have in my house other than dog food and things that clearly don't belong in lentil soup (apricot mango greek yogurt for example, or tea bags). I know, I'm pathetic.

 

[briannesmom]

Carrabbas sausage lentil soup. Very yummy!
http://www.food.com/recipe/carrabbas-sausage-and-lentil-soup-162864
You could skip the zucchini and throw in the spinach instead.

 

[LisaR]

Yes, I have potatoes, but no balsamic vinegar. I don't want to go to the store tonight, but if I made this could I run out and buy the balsamic tomorrow and add it before dinner?

To be perfectly clear, that wasn't a list of some things I might have. That was pretty much everything I have in my house other than dog food and things that clearly don't belong in lentil soup (apricot mango greek yogurt for example, or tea bags). I know, I'm pathetic.

Yep, add the balsamic before you eat it. It is definitely not something you want to leave out. It gives it a great flavor. Plus, you NEED balsamic vinegar as a staple in your pantry! It really will enhance so many things.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Carrabbas sausage lentil soup. Very yummy!
http://www.food.com/recipe/carrabbas-sausage-and-lentil-soup-162864
You could skip the zucchini and throw in the spinach instead.

Oh wait! I lied! I have zucchini! How random is that?

 

[shortbun]

I would open the Italian sausage, skillet fry it with a mess of diced onions and a clove or two of garlic either chopped find or pressed, then deglaze the skillet with some chicken broth, add the diced tomatoes(1 small can) and the lentils. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about a half hour. You could chop up a carrot fine and add it to the sausage mix but it's not necessary. Oh, salt and pepper to taste at the end. The sausage has lots of salt in it and pepper too. Olive oil in the skillet to fry the sausage, onions and garlic. You deglaze the pan to get all the flavor off the bottom, it's important. Oh, I wish you had a little celery too-the carrots, onions and celery would make a great rue when you deglaze.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

OK, here's what I did:

I opened the sausage and fried it up, put it aside and then up some onion and garlic in the grease. Then I added 1 zucchini (cut up) and 3 carrots (cut up), and fried that up some more. Then I poured in a container of chicken broth (I have no idea what "deglazed" means) and put the sausage back in, and put in about 1/2 the lentils. Then I realized my pot was overflowing.

So, now I'm waiting until it all boils down a little so I can put in the rest of the lentils and can of tomatoes. I also have another thing of chicken broth. When the liquid starts to get low, should I add water or more chicken broth?

Keep your fingers crossed that it's edible!

 

[JessicaR]

OK, here's what I did:

I opened the sausage and fried it up, put it aside and then up some onion and garlic in the grease. Then I added 1 zucchini (cut up) and 3 carrots (cut up), and fried that up some more. Then I poured in a container of chicken broth (I have no idea what "deglazed" means) and put the sausage back in, and put in about 1/2 the lentils. Then I realized my pot was overflowing.

So, now I'm waiting until it all boils down a little so I can put in the rest of the lentils and can of tomatoes. I also have another thing of chicken broth. When the liquid starts to get low, should I add water or more chicken broth?

Keep your fingers crossed that it's edible!

That sounds good! It will thicken as the lentils absorb the liquid. They can absorb a lot!

 

[Big Cuddly Bear]

OK BCB, tell me what to do, because I really really really can't cook. Here's what I have in the house.

cooked lentils
Carrots -- lots of carrots
Onions -- lots of onions
Peppers -- one red, one yellow
Potatoes -- lots of potatoes
Spinach -- just a little
Granny smith apples -- (that's a stretch right?)
Various and sundry frozen veggies (corn?)
A can of diced tomatoes
Chicken broth -- lots of that
Italian sausage, mild -- (I think this has potential in lentil soup, don't you?)
Salmon (somehow I think this could be good too, or am I deceiving myself)
Bacon -- 1/2 lb, but I'd rather not use it.
Garlic -- lots of garlic
Garlic pepper
Salt
Hot sauce
Lots of cream of tartar (purchased for making playdough)

Also, I have plain yogurt, and grated sharp cheddar cheese in case that would make a good garnish, and some biscuits I could serve on the side.

And various other things that I'm confident do not go in lentil soup (e.g. guacamole, frozen pizza and frozen blueberries).

Also, if I'm going to make this soup I need to freeze the rest of the taco meat. Can I just wrap it up in foil in appropriate portions and chuck it in the freezer?

Did I mention that I really really really can't cook? That my idea of a "healthy dinner" is generally "Throw some fish under the broiler, while microwaving some frozen brussel sprouts, serve with whole wheat toast".

I would just take broth and start adding what sounds good.... simple as that.

 

[Mickey'snewestfan]

Will they absorb even more? They had already been cooked for about 1/2 an hour when I put them in.

I read on one of the recipes to puree some of the soup and put it back in to make it thicker. Maybe I will try that.

Now, last stupid question -- I should cook for an hour right? Do I cover it? Boil it or just simmer?

My previous soup cooking attempts have all involved Campbells. (where's that hiding under a chair smiley?)