Lentil and Cheese Tart
August 31, 2010 in Uncategorized
It’s been my habit for many years to cook meat-free meals on Saturday & Sunday evenings. This is a guideline only and we often abandon it in favour of a braai, but back in the day when I was feeding hordes of hungry youngsters on a tight budget, it helped cut costs by having two evenings a week which were meat free.
This does not mean vegetarian, but rather that there would not be a specific meat meal bought for those days, and so I would use up left-overs in the fridge (making things like a Scone Roll), or egg dishes (Omelettes were favourites) and I would sometimes make a bean or lentil dish, though the family were never crazy about them. (I don’t understand not liking legumes – I love them, in all forms, and the tinned beans you get nowadays are wonderful!)
On Sunday evening, I went back to this principle, and made a Lentil and Cheese Tart for supper. It was delicious, even AP and NJ agreed; of course, we had eaten a heap of left-over braai meat for lunch, so they were open to the idea of a meat-free supper!
Lentil and Cheese Pie
225 gr red lentils
500 mls water
2 onions, finely chopped
Butter, for frying
100 gr mature, sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 egg, lightly beaten
freshly chopped herbs, I used a handful of mixed rosemary, thyme, parsley and oreganum
25 gr breadcrumbs, to sprinkle on top (I didn’t have any, so I used crushed cornflakes)
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Simmer the lentils in the water until they are tender and the liquid has been absorbed
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Melt the butter in a frying pan, fry the onions until transparent
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Add the lentils and remaining ingredients, stir well to combine
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Spoon into a greased pie dish, level the surface
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Bake at 190°C for 30 minutes, or until browned on top
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Serve hot or cold, with a salad
The cheese adds a creaminess to the slightly dry texture of the lentils, and the sharpness of the cheddar goes so well with the herbs. Very tasty and more-ish!
Enjoy!
jeanihess said on August 31, 2010
Something to try … also with brown lentils:)
Gaby866 said on August 31, 2010
this is amazing ! I do it the other way round .. only eat meat 2 x a week and 1 sushi
.. just find it more healthy.. I will definitely try this one as well thanks !!!
janicetripepi said on August 31, 2010
Oooh this sound yummy – i love legumes – and i agree that a meat free night is great for cost cutting when you have a “bottomless” family to feed. We used to have – Pasta a la neopolitana – just a plain tomato sauce to get around the meat free. xxx jan
Zabwan said on August 31, 2010
Thank you Jan! I must admit, I used to cook so much pasta with bacon and tomatoes that I am banned for making it anymore, lol xxx
sharonsmit said on August 31, 2010
It looks scrumptious!! As a child my mom never really used legumes (except now for the beans in tomato sauce, which I stopped eating eventually). I must still explore the rest (beyond butterbeans and chickpeas which I now use often!). Have a fab day!! xxx
Zabwan said on August 31, 2010
Thanks, Gaby! If I make it less meat a week, my family of carnivores would divorce me
Zabwan said on August 31, 2010
I like that idea! Let me know how it comes out??
janicetripepi said on August 31, 2010
We went through some very lean years when we couldn’t pay attention let alone our bills – i used to re-cycle pork sausages into all sorts of pies etc. i too am banned from making my sausage and potatoe pie!! What we have to do to make ends meet hey!!! xxx jan
Zabwan said on August 31, 2010
At least that’s one compensation for middle years and grown children – a little more money to go around
Thanks for the chuckle xxx
Zabwan said on August 31, 2010
Thanks Shaz! Beans are so versatile, you’ll have some fun when you start experimenting. Have a fab day too, xxx
anotherdayinparadise said on August 31, 2010
This dish looks delicious and is obviously very healthy with the lentils. Will give it a try. Thanks Zabwan.
leaineskitchen said on August 31, 2010
I love lentils, but I ate them so much I became allergic – how funny is that? hee hee… this is a really nice idea – I’ve never thought about putting them into a pie, but only as an addition to soups, stews, etc. I’ll give it a try when I can eat them again
xxx
Zabwan said on August 31, 2010
Hello AD – thanks for the visit! I enjoyed your interview with Hope and your blog today. Let me know how this recipe comes out when you try it
Zabwan said on August 31, 2010
Lea – is there anything you’re not allergic to??? My word, you poor girl!
Have you tried homeopathic treatments? I have a wheat intolerance, but my homeopath fixes me up so that I can eat wheat in moderation, thank heavens, ‘cos you know how much I like to bake bread….
Nutkin said on August 31, 2010
Another one for me to try… thank you!
leaineskitchen said on August 31, 2010
Ha ha – I know, I do seem sad don’t I
Nah, I’ll eventually get over most of my allergies (intolerances), but probably not to yeast – cos I like wine too much (hee hee) and you’ve seen just from my Roots post how many things contain yeast. Anyway, I am actually doing biofeedback therapy and taking things like pre and probiotics and olive leaf extract. I can eat everything I am allergic to, in moderation, but it sets me back and of course I don’t feel wonderful afterwards, so I’d rather not… 
Zabwan said on August 31, 2010
It’s amazing how ill one feels after eating something you’re intolerant too, and then there’s the cramps, and the rash….not fair, is it! Glad to hear you’re on a program to overcome the allergies
Zabwan said on August 31, 2010
It’s a pleasure, Nutkin!!
leaineskitchen said on August 31, 2010
And I’m really glad you can still eat wheat, even if it is only in moderation
BITSOFCAREY said on August 31, 2010
oooh yummy goodness, will give this a bash! xx
Hopestar said on August 31, 2010
Yummeee!!!!
*hugs*
x x x x
Zabwan said on September 1, 2010
Thank you Carey! I’m sure you’d take a better photo, lol!
Zabwan said on September 1, 2010
Thank you!! *hugs*
tandy.sinclair said on September 1, 2010
I can usually only do beans and lentils when hidden in soup! Have a lovely spring day xxx
Zabwan said on September 1, 2010
Thanks, you too!
supagran said on September 2, 2010
I also have a sausage pie recipe, thankfully the family still like it!
supagran said on September 2, 2010
I’m not good with lentils and beans.
Zabwan said on September 3, 2010
Would that be cooking them or eating them??
Zabwan said on September 3, 2010
I think you should share that recipe! Please?
supagran said on September 5, 2010
Both really.
faridahb said on September 6, 2010
This sounds well worth a try!
Zabwan said on September 6, 2010
Hello Faridah!! How are you??
mladanyi said on September 7, 2010
Sounds like an idea I should follow with the hordes at home right now. I’m looking for a brown rice with lentils recipe, can you help?
Zabwan said on September 7, 2010
I don’t have a recipe as such for that, but I know how I would go about making it! Tell you what, let me see what I can come up with
watch this space!
mladanyi said on September 7, 2010
Thanks, can’t find one…