lentils rule ok

dear fellow frugalists

Cracked and had 2 take away cappuccinos this week - curses! Went to the pictures with a friend and it cost $17 for the ticket. Damn! Trying not to spend $ and have a life is very challenging. Eating healthily is expensive so enter the lentil stage left. People think I'm joking when I say the humble lentil is my friend.  Lentils are cheap as and at the moment that's how I like it. And small fact - they are full of protein, vitamin B1 and iron. Archaeologists have found evidence people were eating them thousands of years ago. So if it was good enough for Neolithic woman it's good enough for me.  This recipe can be whipped up in no time and you can add grated carrot or zucchini  or some diced onion to the mixture - whatever does it for you

Here is my recipe for Neolithic Lentil Burgers

Ingredients

1 cup cold mashed potato

400g canned brown lentils

1 tbsp curry paste or powder

1 egg

1/2 cup breadcrumbs or crushed Vita Brits

1 tbsp olive oil

Place all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl and yes mix them together. Season with salt and pepper. How easy is that? Divide into small patties - not too large. Heat the oil in a pan and cook your patties until they are brown on each side.

Serve with a green salad (maybe snow peas for crunch and some salad leaves) and a lovely dressing/ dipping sauce of 1/2 cup plain yoghurt , 1/4 cup lemon juice and 2 tbsp of tahini ( sesame seed paste from the health food section of your supermarket. If it's too bitey add a small teaspoonful of honey.

Any leftover mash keep to make potato cakes for breakfast - add an egg and then a small amount of plain flour until the mixture is stiff. Fry until brown in some oil.

And that lovelies is my austerity tip for the week apart from drying out your teabags on the line and reusing them - hmmmm just joking although I did share a house with someone who actually did this.......he wasn't frugal he was just mean!

Katerina della Austerita!  x