Easy Lentil Bake

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Lentils – For a Low Cost Meal

With household incomes static or falling and food prices rising, many families are on the look out for easy and nutritious meals. This lentil bake recipe costs around £2 for four servings and is very quick and easy to make, too. And if you are cooking for one or two people, the extra portions will keep easily in the fridge or freezer to be reheated when required.

One of the best ways to save money on your food bills is to use some pulses instead of meat. At under £1 for 500g of lentils, each pack will make two meals for four at least and may be more. Compare that with the cost of beef mince.

Red lentils cook in 15-20 minutes and are easy to prepare and go with many things and they are low in fat and calories, and high in protein. You don’t have to be a vegetarian to try them. In fact you can alwyas mix them with meat in a stew so that the meat goes further.

Lentils are low cost and highly nutritious and can be used in many tasty dishes. This Lentil Bake is a great way to feed a hungry family, easily and economically

What Are lentils?

Lentils are a legume, the seed from the lentil plant and has been part of the human diet since prehistoric times.

They grow in pods on the lentil bush and are produced in the United States and in Canada as well as Asia and the Mediterranean. The bush is about 16 inches high. In fact they may have been one of the very first cultivated plants. Because they are dried, they have a long shelf life, so there is little danger of them being wasted – another aspect that makes them economical. And they are available all year round. The red and green lentils are most commonly sold although brown and other colours are available. Red lentils cook more quickly and are mushier than green lentils. Green lentils hold their shape better in stews and soups. Which lentil you use for a recipe depends on the type of dish you are creating.

Green lentils make a good meat substitute in a dish such as Vegetarian Lasagne and red lentils are good where a softer texture is sought such as Lentil and Cheese Flan.

Lentil Bake – Low Cost, Easy Supper

Not only is this recipe low cost and delicious it is very easy and quick to make. So if you are coming in from work – or for whatever reason have limited time for preparation, this dish is ideal. It only requires two pans to make and then it all goes into a baking dish and into the oven. Serve with baked potatoes to make the most of the heat while the oven is on.

This recipe also uses courgettes which are plentiful in late summer, so this is an excellent way to make the best of them. At other times of year use mushrooms, leeks or broccoli instead.

Serve with salad or your favourite green vegetable – or even cooked frozen peas.
  Lentil Bake - Low Cost Family Meal

Serves 4

Serve hot with baked potatoes and a green vegetable or salad

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