5 ways to make lentils exciting for the kids

Lentils and chickpeas are to be part of school menus at least once a week, as part of an effort to make school dinners healthier. And in truth, that’s unlikely to get your child’s taste buds tingling with excitement and anticipation.

But lentils don’t have to be boring.

They’re incredibly versatile and you can use them in countless meals.

And on top of that, they’re great if you’re watching your budget.

1. Easy lentil curry

Lentils are the perfect addition to a quick, cheap curry.

Fry an onion, add curry powder, and chuck in some tinned tomatoes or passata and a tin of red lentils. 

Then, add some stock and let everything simmer until the lentils are soft.

And if you have some veg knocking around that you don’t know what do with, add that to the pan and you’ve got an affordable, tasty meal for the whole family.

2. Lentil bolognese

Make mince in your spag bol go a bit further by adding some cooked lentils.

Just use half the amount of mince you normally would and add the lentils to bulk it out.

This is a great option if you’ve bought a bigger packet of mince, as the remaining meat can be used in other meals or put in the freezer for another day.

And if you have fussy eaters at home, just blend some of the sauce before serving to make the lentils less obvious, and the kids probably won’t even notice they’re in there.

3. Lentil burgers

Kids love burgers, so this could be a great way to introduce lentils to their diet.

Just mash some cooked lentils with breadcrumbs or a little flour, bind it together with a cracked egg, mix in some grated carrot and onion, and then add some seasoning.

Next, shape the mix into burgers and fry in a little oil or bake them in the oven until they turn golden.

Your kids will never tell you they don’t like lentils ever again.

4. Cheesy lentil pasta bake

Make a simple tomato sauce with tinned tomatoes or passata, add in some cooked lentils and some vegetables.

Then mix with some cooked pasta, spread some grated cheese over the top and pop it in the oven until it turns golden.

5. Lentil and vegetable soup

If you have vegetables that are looking a bit past their best, chuck them in some boiling stock with a tin of lentils and simmer until everything is tender.

You can leave it chunky or blend it until smooth, and season to taste.

Cheap, healthy and filling

Lentils aren’t just being added to school dinners because they’re cheap, but they’re because they’re healthy too.

In fact, lentils are packed with fibre and are a good source of plant protein, as well as loads of important vitamins and minerals. 

Fibre’s really important for healthy digestion and can help people feel fuller for longer.

So introducing lentils into your child’s diet is a win-win.

It's affordable, their evening meal will be a bit healthier, and if it’s filled them up, they’ll be less likely to want loads of snacks afterwards.