Beans/Legumes for Beef?
Posted by rurukachu on Oct 22, 2007 · Member since Jun 2007 · 5 posts
I'm kind of new at converting my old recipes, but I'm wondering if anyone can give me some help.
I'm trying to substitute 1 lb of beef for an equivalent of beans or legumes (I was thinking dried lentils b/c I rather like them, and they generally cook quickly). It's for a pasta-y casserole (great for a blustery fall evening!)
I know how to do this with tofu or veggie crumbles, but my husband is hesitant to try either. (texture thing!)
Ok, the old recipe is as follows:
1 (8oz) pkg of dry egg noodles
2 lbs of ground beef
1 small onion
2 strips of celery (chopped)
1 small green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (4.5 oz) can of sliced mushrooms, drained
1 (10.75 oz) can condensed tomato soup
1 (10.75 oz) can of condensed cream of mushroom soup
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
1. preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x13 inch baking dish with non-stick spray
2. bring large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain and set aside.
3. In a medium sized saucepan over medium high heat, stir together the beef, onion, celery, green bell pepper, garlic, and mushrooms. Cook until beef is evenly brown and vegetables are tender. Drain fat. Stir in the tomato soup and the mushroom soup.
4. Place half of cooked noodles in the prepared baking dish. Layer with half of the meat mixture and half of the cheddar and mozzarella cheese. Salt and pepper to taste, then repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients with the remaining cheese being the top layer.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the surface is hot and bubbly.
**I can figure out a proper sub for the egg noodles, the cream of mushroom soup, and the cheeses, but need a little help on subbing out the meat.**
I think if you have some cooked lentils, made with garlic and onion naturally, it should work. So cook the lentils, drain and process a few times (or mash up) just to break up the shape into more of a crumble. Then add it once the veggies are tender. Good news? You can skip that 'drain the fat' step!
He thinks fake "meat" is weird and won't touch it. The only time that I made him eat tofu (the first time I ever cooked with it & it was a really bad recipe), he thought it was terrible, so he won't try it again!
I ended up using 1 cup of dried lentils overcooked with a couple of vegetarian vegetable bouillon cubes and a bay leaf. It was fantastic! Also, added two (smallish) chopped zucchini in with the mushrooms!
I ended up using 1 cup of dried lentils overcooked with a couple of vegetarian vegetable bouillon cubes and a bay leaf. It was fantastic!
But did your husband like it????