I was searching for something to write and decided the only thing of interest I really did tonight was try the Madras Lentils (lentils, red beans and spices in a creamy tomato sauce) I got at Costco last week. The box had 4 smaller boxes, which they called an entree size, and I think it ran about $7. So, I grabbed one out of the box since the wife decided she was skipping dinner, and I was hungry. I was surprised that it was fully ready to eat, though if I had read the box better, I’d have known that :). It’s all natural, vegetarian, gluten free, contains no MSG or preservatives, and is kosher.
It came in a foil pouch, which of course means no microwaving in the pouch. It took about 2 minutes to fully heat it in a glass bowl slightly larger than the portion. It reminded me of a chili more than anything else. I can see this as a good vegetarian option for chili, with a few additional spices (and/or hot sauce), nacho topping or even hot dog topping!
I will have to try and reproduce this soon, because it would make a good alternative for my other Lentil Chili, with a few modifications.
15 Comments
Hey you should update your planned reading I know we both have a few on that list
Hi there! I found your site through a search for a recipe for madras lentils with red beans. Just like you, I tried this at Costco and have wanted to find a recipe similar. I was just wondering if you have tried that yet? Thanks!
No, haven’t yet found a recipe for this, but I will start looking as I am almost out now 🙂
I’ve tried the Tasty Bite Madras Lentils from Costco also. I thought they were wonderful and would love to find a receipie to reproduce this at home. Could you let me know if you find one?
The pouch is made for the microwave, it says so right on the package in big red letters.
I tried it from costo too and i love it! i can’t go to costco that often so i would like to reproduce the recipe at home. It would be great if anyone has a recipe for this or something like it!
I just found on Yahoo Answers someone had asked the same question and gotten a recipe: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090…
Looks like the Yahoo post was removed. Anyone else have the recipe?
Thanks for your reference recipes for trying to duplicate or approximate the CostCo Tasty Bits Madras Lentils. We love them like most everyone does. I wanted to share a recipe I found, it was 5 or 6 pages deep in a Google search for "madras lentils" and is buried in with a variety of other vegetarian recipes.
http://www.thecoloradowave.com/index.php?option=c…
WOW, I looked at that recipe — I dont' even know what half those ingredients are ! ! ! But the COSTCO version is Delish. Hope I find a recipe soon. Thanks though.
My husband just went shopping at Costco and for the first time he bought the Madras Lentils. The first thing I checked was the nutrition facts chart, unfortunately the amount of salt for 1/2 of a pack is to high for me (510mg), since I have high blood pressure. I wanted to return it but I decided to try it only for this time. I wish they can make it with less salt (low sodium) it will be grate for all the people like me, we all know the taste wont be the same but we are used to it. Also I have to mention that it contains a grate amount of fiber and low sugar. This comment is not only for this product, since their are to many others in the market with the same situation.
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I, too, fell in love with these and have come up with my own version. Haven't looked at that one on yahoo yet. Here's how I make mine: (amounts are approximate; I don't measure, I go by taste)
Cook about -1/2 cups brown lentils til tender. I used one can of dark red kidney beans, already cooked. In a large saucepan, saute til golden one large or two smaller onions and a few cloves of garlic plus about one tablespoon minced ginger. While everything is sauteeing, add about one generous tablespoon whole cumin seed. Let the seed "toast" in the oil til it's also golden; you can smell the roasting of it as it cooks. Add one can petite diced tomatoes (I think they're 15 oz. cans). Allow to simmer til you see the oil separate out to the sides of the pan. Add about 1/2 cup cream/half and half/condensed milk. Allow to simmer gently. Serve!
I’m late! We just tried the Costco madras lentils. Now they don’t carry them. I guess we will be looking for recipe too
Take a look at Food.com. They have a recipe for Madras Lentils that sure looks like it would be the “one.” They still have them at our Costco? Still want to make them on my own. I think I would increase the tomatoes to a quart instead of a pint.
curious if you ever tried to replicate the Tasty Bite Madras Lentils and how it turned out. My son loves them, I cook Indian food all the time and want to figure out the right flavor.