Reply #19: Add what you like. Beans are good, too, but add to the cooking time. [View All]

[MineralMan]

Lentils cook in minutes, though. I keep a couple of pounds of mixed dry lentils in the pantry all the time. Finely chopped ham (like what will be left over from tonight's Easter meal), onion, garlic, and some lentils and you've got something special. Add a little curry powder or just some salt and pepper. Tobasco's good, too in this.

You can make it into a soup, or a thick gruel. Gruel's good. Nobody makes gruel any more. They should. It's how to use grains like barley, whole wheat kernels, and legumes. Make it thick and substantial, and add some of whatever vegetables and meat that's hanging around and you're set.

Even a hot dog or bratwurst that didn't get used takes on new meaning when chopped and added to gruel.

Damn! Now I'm hungry.