Eating in full colour...

I try and eat a rainbow diet!

Does a packet of Skittles count?

Try Veganuary website for delicious, easy, meat free recipes
veganuary.com/

Lentils are a good ingredient, I always add a good handful to a ragu when making Lasagne, in soups they add texture and thicken.
I only ever use red lentils.

If you want a good “rainbow” recipe this is a family favourite;

1 Tin of kidney beans, 1 tin cannelini beans drained. Add 1 finely diced carrot, 1/2 red pepper, cucumber, celery, spring onion or red onion a handful of raisins, cherry tomatoes. Mix well and stir through some home made dressing and season.

Our children always named it “ fart salad” there was usually a bowl of it in the fridge that they would help themselves to at all times of the day and night!

It’s really cheap, quick and nutritious it fills you up for along time.

Good morning boat.
I make a red lentil soup regularly especially in winter and it's a firm, family favourite. So here goes.

Soak lentils in hot water for approx 1 hr.
Meanwhile fry a chopped onion in olive oil, add chopped garlic if you wish.
Grate a carrot and potato to be added later.
Next add the lentils after draining them
Stir well, add 1 tbsp flour, a good squirt of tomato puree and continue to stir.
Now add the grated potato and carrot and some hot water.
Bring to the boil and season with salt and pepper.
Allow to cook on low for a good 20/ 30 mins.
Add juice of a lemon.
When soup has cooled a little, blend with stick blender.
Add some chopped parsley before serving.
I do add a stock cube during the cooking, it gives more flavour.
I hope you try it and enjoy.

HurdyGurdy I had to google Skittles.

This recipe is from Sarah Brown's 1980s vegetarian cookbook.
I made it regularly when my children were young and went through a vegetarian phase. It's very tasty. I often added a layer of sliced tomatoes in the middle. I haven't made it for years, but think I will now that you've jogged my memory.

I once tried red lentils. They went right through me. (To put it politely) Not a pleasant experience.

What can I do with the rest of the packet?

vegansrock thankyou. I think I'll give the ras el hanout couscous a try but I'll have to get the spice on line.

*Sago I find the idea of your, "fart salad", strangely alluring. I am going to try it but will have to adjust it a bit because there is only me to feed and, living on a narrow boat, I have a very small fridge.

Your soup sounds good and easy to make maydonoz. I'll definitely give it a try. Thanks.

MiniMoon that cheese and lentil loaf sounds delicious. I will definitely try it but will wait until my son's next visit because I couldn't eat all that and am unsure about freezing it.

JackyB, lentils - red or otherwise - have the same effect on me. They seem to be a staple of a vegan diet, but wouldn't do for me. I've been a vegetarian for more than 40 years and would find it very difficult to transit to a fully plant-based diet, though I do eat a good variety of different coloured items.

Your body does acclimatise to a plant based diet, but having said that I probably only eat pulses once or twice a week. My favourite is a spicy Dahl with rice and maybe a sag aloo curry.

That fart salad sounds nice, as long as it doesn't taste too 'beany'.

Just had the most colourful dish of roast vegetables. Quite delicious and only took I6 minutes to cook.

good 15 minutes to cook