Guest guest Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 I make tacos with lentils or garbanzo beans combined with tempeh, or something without the tempeh. I don't use a crockpot, but I just cook the lentils in a rice cooker until they're tender, then I crumble the tempeh (if I'm using it) and brown it, then I combine it with the lentils (or beans) and mash it all together pretty well. Then I add some taco spices and I usually add some toasted sesame seed oil, just because it gives it a good flavor to have some fat in it. I stuff the taco shells with that and top it with dark greens, scallions, olives, tomatoes (if they're in season, otherwise I use a thick salsa) and maybe a nutritional yeast sauce if I want something cheesy. I usually serve it with a salad and Mexican rice. Yum! Don't be afraid of lentils - they are really delicious and super easy to cook and work with. Chandelle On Tue, Feb 3, 2009 at 8:53 AM, MECHELLE <myshadyboyz wrote: > My 7 year old son and I have been veg. for only about a month now. I > am not sure what to do with lentils. I have never tried them. I am > looking for something to replace the meat in tacos. Would this work if > i cooked them in the crockpot with taco seasoning? Or if you have any > other ideas for them please let me know. I am trying to just stick to > his normal things he likes and introduce new things slowley. > Thanks, > Michelle and Devin > > > -- " The demand for equal rights in every vocation of life is just and fair; but, after all, the most vital right is the right to love and be loved. " ~Emma Goldman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Fat-free vegetarian refried beans works well in tacos. That is what we used in college for the taco bar. Also you could use things like MSF steak strips or Boca crumbles (which now come in a resealable bag). I wouldn't use lentils in tacos. The only times I've made lentils (from the bag) they didn't turn out so well. So I can't really offer recipes there. I usually buy lentils already prepared. Either from the Indian store (they have great vegetarian prepackaged meals very cheap) or canned (like Amy's brand). Renee ________________________________ MECHELLE <myshadyboyz Tuesday, February 3, 2009 10:53:25 AM First time with lentils - need some ideas My 7 year old son and I have been veg. for only about a month now. I am not sure what to do with lentils. I have never tried them. I am looking for something to replace the meat in tacos. Would this work if i cooked them in the crockpot with taco seasoning? Or if you have any other ideas for them please let me know. I am trying to just stick to his normal things he likes and introduce new things slowley. Thanks, Michelle and Devin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Lentils are great because they cook so much quicker than other dried beans. I don't see why you couldn't mix mashed lentils with taco seasoning; I have done this with other beans. I make this veg pasticio with penne: 1 1/3 cups water 2/3 cup lentils 3 cloves garlic -- minced 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup chopped sweet green pepper 1 jar (30oz.) meatless spaghetti sauce with vegetables 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1 egg 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 cup snipped parsley 8 ounces mafalda or fettuccine, cooked and -- drained 2 cups skim milk 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 2 egg whites ground cinnamon -- optional In a saucepan bring water to boiling; add lentils and garlic. Return to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add onion and green pepper. Cover and cook5 to 10 minutes more or till tender. Drain; return to pan. Stir in sauce, cinnamon and pepper. In a bowl beet egg slightly; stir in Parmesan cheese and parsley. Add pasta; toss to coat set aside. --- On Tue, 2/3/09, MECHELLE <myshadyboyz wrote: MECHELLE <myshadyboyz First time with lentils - need some ideas Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 9:53 AM My 7 year old son and I have been veg. for only about a month now. I am not sure what to do with lentils. I have never tried them. I am looking for something to replace the meat in tacos. Would this work if i cooked them in the crockpot with taco seasoning? Or if you have any other ideas for them please let me know. I am trying to just stick to his normal things he likes and introduce new things slowley. Thanks, Michelle and Devin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 Yes, use them in the crock pot with some taco seasoning (omit the salt for your son). You may want to mix them with cooked rice before stuffing them into the taco... That sounds yummy to me. I have made beany-weeny with lentils in the crockpot and it turned out tasty. You could put them into a macaroni bake, too, in place of beans. Add some canned tomatoes, top with shredded cheese (in any form you like), and back at 350 for about 20 minutes (until warmed through). Cassie --- On Tue, 2/3/09, Renee Carroll <renecarol25 wrote: Renee Carroll <renecarol25 Re: First time with lentils - need some ideas Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 11:45 AM Fat-free vegetarian refried beans works well in tacos. That is what we used in college for the taco bar. Also you could use things like MSF steak strips or Boca crumbles (which now come in a resealable bag). I wouldn't use lentils in tacos. The only times I've made lentils (from the bag) they didn't turn out so well. So I can't really offer recipes there. I usually buy lentils already prepared. Either from the Indian store (they have great vegetarian prepackaged meals very cheap) or canned (like Amy's brand). Renee ____________ _________ _________ __ MECHELLE <myshadyboyz@ msn.com> @gro ups.com Tuesday, February 3, 2009 10:53:25 AM First time with lentils - need some ideas My 7 year old son and I have been veg. for only about a month now. I am not sure what to do with lentils. I have never tried them. I am looking for something to replace the meat in tacos. Would this work if i cooked them in the crockpot with taco seasoning? Or if you have any other ideas for them please let me know. I am trying to just stick to his normal things he likes and introduce new things slowley. Thanks, Michelle and Devin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 3, 2009 Report Share Posted February 3, 2009 We made tacos with some (I think we had some canned ones at the time) and they came out fine. I just cooked them w/ spices and we also put refried black beans on them. YOu can also use them in something akin to a 'loaf' - you can google " magical loaf studio " - there's something like a form with radio buttons you click for what ingredients you have (beans/lentils/tvp or whatever) and a binder and so on. It's worked out every time I've used it (different protein/binders/etc). I also add them to vegetarian chili sometimes. My son's favorite dish is Dahl Mahkani - it's lentils and beans in a 'creamy' tomato sauce - we use soymilk in it, or rice milk (he asks that we fill his entire lunchbox with it the next day when I make it - nothing else, no fruit, or anything else...) I have a recipe I kind of adapted/made up if you'd like it (I've not got it on me right now and I've got the cold that's going around, but I might be up for copying it later if anyone would like it) I'm trying to think of what else we do with them - My son also likes curries (we leave out the heat, and just use the spices - I was surprised he liked them so much, but he doesn't like if they're spicy hot). I would think you could substitute them anywhere a recipe calls for ground meat stuff. Hope that helps. MIssie On Tue, Feb 3, 2009 at 11:13 AM, Cassie Dixon <roxy87cabriolet wrote: > Yes, use them in the crock pot with some taco seasoning (omit the salt for > your son). You may want to mix them with cooked rice before stuffing them > into the taco... That sounds yummy to me. > I have made beany-weeny with lentils in the crockpot and it turned out > tasty. > You could put them into a macaroni bake, too, in place of beans. Add some > canned tomatoes, top with shredded cheese (in any form you like), and back > at 350 for about 20 minutes (until warmed through). > Cassie > > --- On Tue, 2/3/09, Renee Carroll <renecarol25 wrote: > Renee Carroll <renecarol25 > Re: First time with lentils - need some ideas > > Tuesday, February 3, 2009, 11:45 AM > > Fat-free vegetarian refried beans works well in tacos. That is what we used > in college for the taco bar. Also you could use things like MSF steak > strips or Boca crumbles (which now come in a resealable bag). I wouldn't > use lentils in tacos. The only times I've made lentils (from the bag) they > didn't turn out so well. So I can't really offer recipes there. I usually > buy lentils already prepared. Either from the Indian store (they have great > vegetarian prepackaged meals very cheap) or canned (like Amy's brand). > > Renee > > ____________ _________ _________ __ > > MECHELLE <myshadyboyz@ msn.com> > > @gro ups.com > > Tuesday, February 3, 2009 10:53:25 AM > > First time with lentils - need some ideas > > My 7 year old son and I have been veg. for only about a month now. I > > am not sure what to do with lentils. I have never tried them. I am > > looking for something to replace the meat in tacos. Would this work if > > i cooked them in the crockpot with taco seasoning? Or if you have any > > other ideas for them please let me know. I am trying to just stick to > > his normal things he likes and introduce new things slowley. > > Thanks, > > Michelle and Devin > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 5, 2009 Report Share Posted February 5, 2009 In our playgroup, when we take turns bringing new mommys meals for 2 weeks, this is what I bring to their table. It's always been a hit! UNBELIEVABLE LENTIL TACOS ========================= Ingredients (use vegan versions): * 1 cup dried brown lentils, rinsed * 8 ounce can tomato sauce * corn tortillas (I use white corn tortillas) * 1 packet dry taco seasoning mix (if none available, recipe follows) * handful of textured soy protein, optional * iceberg lettuce (shredded) * cucumber (seeded, peeled, sliced) * tomatoes (chopped) * lemon or lime wedges (optional) Directions: Cover the lentils with water in a large saucepan. They expand tremendously so use a large pot. Add tomato sauce, textured soy protein, and taco seasoning. Bring to high heat until boiling. Simmer at low heat until the mixture thickens. Add more water if necessary and stir often so that the bottom does not burn. This process will take about an hour. You want to cook it until its about the consistency of cooked oatmeal. Taste the mixture and add more seasonings if necessary. Add more textured soy protein if you want more texture and continue to heat until the textured soy protein is fully hydrated. In the meantime, heat the corn tortillas in the oven, directly on the oven rack for about 5 minutes at 350 degrees. Assemble the tacos as desired. Squeeze the lemon wedges over the tacos... yum!! This recipes makes a large quantity and is very flexible with the garnishes. Experiment by adding chopped avocado, cilantro, onion, etc. I prefer these without salsa since the taco filling has so much flavor on its own. Enjoy!! Serves: feeds an army Preparation time: 1 hour You can read or add comments about this recipe by going to: http://vegweb.com/recipes/burritos/5486.shtml Here's my recipe for Taco Seasoning: 4.5 tsp. paprika; 1 tsp. cumin powder; 0.5 tsp. oregano; 1 tsp. chili powder; 1 tsp. onion powder; 0.25 tsp. lemon powder (optional, I've never used it); 1 tsp. salt; 1 tsp. sugar; 0.5 tsp. garlic powder; 1 tsp. flour; 0.5 tsp. cocoa powder Mix all together and store in airtight container. Makes approx. 4 tablespoonful - the equivalent of 1 package of seasoning (enough to season 1 pound of meat or a substitute). This mix is very mild. The other things I do differently to this recipe are: 1)I puree a can of diced green mild chilies and add that to the sauce pot. 2)I use a 6 oz. can of organic tomato paste and just add enough water to cover lentils by about an inch, and cook for an hour. Pretty simple. , " MECHELLE " <myshadyboyz wrote: > > My 7 year old son and I have been veg. for only about a month now. I > am not sure what to do with lentils. I have never tried them. I am > looking for something to replace the meat in tacos. Would this work if > i cooked them in the crockpot with taco seasoning? Or if you have any > other ideas for them please let me know. I am trying to just stick to > his normal things he likes and introduce new things slowley. > Thanks, > Michelle and Devin > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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