Rice pulses and beans

Google the Merchant Gourmet range. You can get them in most supermarkets. They do all kinds of interesting grains and pulses (including puy lentils) that are ready to eat. I use them as side dishes or in salads. There are other similar ready to eat products in supermarkets, so don't be restricted to tinned or dried (although they do work out cheaper).

You do not need to soak dried lentils (of any colour), but you do need to soak other dried pulses for varying lengths of time. Btw. Puy lentils have the nicest flavour and the best texture.

baubles You naughty Gransnetter! Bolgonaise – I don't think so. It's Italian – bolognese. How are you doing –well, I hope.

Thanks. That is the sort of thing I was looking for.
I didnt know if buying them tinned was an expensive way of doing things. And didnt really think they are a side dish usually.
But on the other hand, I was not going to do the soaking overnight thing.

Can't beat a chickpea curry look here. I wouldn't just use them straight out of the tin as a side dish.

Tinned green lentils can be used in soups or to make a vegetarian bolognaise type sauce. Search for recipes, there are squillions of them on line.