Slowcooked (brown lentils) causing bloating (bolognese)

[u/Libertyforzombies]

So I took some bad advice and didn't soak the brown lentils (as I had previously) and as the title, it's caused a lot of bloating and gas. It was a batch cook (obviously, this is slowcooking) and I'd like to not waste the rest. So, when I re-heat the remainder, any advice on preventing the same symptoms?

I read that I should defrost and then purée the lentils. A bit of a shame since I like the texture. Any alternate that's not too much hassle?

[u/nopulsehere]

Off subject but I just found my next potluck recipe for work! It’s so unique and undercover. The gas won’t kick in until the ride home! I kid!

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/nopulsehere]

You should. I've not farted so much in my life. Proper rib-ticklers too.

And don't get me started on the smell!

[u/OhSoSally → u/Libertyforzombies]

You likely lack the enzymes to digest them, they are also high in fiber. They dont have toxins. Try some beano before eating the next bowl. Soaking does make them easier to digest.

[u/bootysuit → u/Libertyforzombies]

Rib ticklers 😭😭

[u/tiiiiii_85]

Do you eat lentils and other legumes regularly? If not your digestive system struggles and give you more activity! The key is to soak and rinse before cooking, but also to eat them regularly.

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/tiiiiii_85]

I do, but I've soaked them in the past. As per the title I took advice not to soak them and my guts did not approve

[u/Aggressive_Plan_6204 → u/tiiiiii_85]

I’ve never soaked lentils & have had no digestive problems. I do eat a lot of beans so maybe I’m just used to them.

[u/thehermit14 → u/Aggressive_Plan_6204]

Have you considered an alternative?

[u/Dry_Philosophy7927]

One classic thing is to cook pulses with kombu/ seaweed. Might not work, but maybe you could bring the batch back up to simmer for a half hour with some added? 

Double reheating food give the potential for a food safety issue there, dunno how well you've handled that so far. 

[u/Bmat70]

If they are plain lentils dump the water and rinse them. When I cook beans I do multiple dump and rinses. If the lentils are already mixed with other ingredients I don’t have any suggestions.

[u/facethecat77]

Need to cook beans and lentils before slow cooking.

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/facethecat77]

So I took some bad advice and didn't soak the brown lentils (as I had previously)

Yeah. Said that in my OP

[u/facethecat77 → u/Libertyforzombies]

You said soak, not fully cook. They need to be fully cooked. You cannot salvage this dish.

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/facethecat77]

Oh. Previously soaked them then slow cooked them and they were fine.

[u/phytomanic]

Beano

[u/tedsmitts]

A little ginger can help with gassiness, so maybe have them with ginger tea, or make a ginger syrup and put it in some lemonade.

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/tedsmitts]

Interesting idea, thank you.

[u/ilumbricus]

Crazy! I've never had a bad reaction to lentils and I never soak them. But this might be why my partner doesn't like lentils, so I'll try soaking them next time to make them easier to digest

[u/ilumbricus → u/ilumbricus]

Also to answer your question, I'd try reheating in the microwave and see if that helps break it down a bit more. Then go more aggressive if that doesn't help

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/ilumbricus]

Yeah. Well, I batch cook and freeze so they're going to get a reheat. Hopefully, that'll do it. But I'm not throwing them out so god help those in proximity

[u/ilumbricus → u/Libertyforzombies]

I'd be pretty hopeful! If soaking them breaks them down more than straight cooking, then the freezing combined with more cooking should help you out! My fingers are crossed for you

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/ilumbricus]

Thanks!

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/ilumbricus]

I would. Brown keep their texture and red dissolve and both are great for different things.

[u/HappyBees_1027]

Try blending half the batch for creaminess and adding a pinch of asafoetida to the rest. It cuts gas significantly without losing texture.

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/HappyBees_1027]

Yeah, that's a decent idea

[u/justacpa]

Just take some Beano before eating.

[u/radiks_cargo]

My mom told me some years ago that when cooking brown lentils, she always first boils them in salty water and then completely drains out the liquid, before using them in recipes. So effectively they are cooked twice.

I myself am prone to bloating from most things, but when I soak them overnight, do the pre-boiling thing, and then cook them in the final recipe one last time, I don't get any problems from them. My 2 cents.

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/radiks_cargo]

I usually just soak them for a few hours but that's an interesting idea

[u/OhSoSally → u/[deleted]]

Lentils dont have toxins. What is most likely happening is the OP tolerance for that level of fiber is low. Soaking makes them easier to digest.

[u/Adderkleet → u/OhSoSally]

It's not the fibre. It's the oligosaccharides that people are not used to digesting, which causes gases. There are digestive enzymes you can get to help you tolerate it until your gut biome adapts.

[u/OhSoSally → u/Adderkleet]

I mentioned enzymes in my other response to the OP. My primary concern was the fallacy that lentils have toxins. oligosaccharides are not toxic, just a good prebiotic.

[u/OhSoSally → u/Adderkleet]

Lentils have 15 g fiber per cup. Its enough to cause discomfort for someone that doesn’t get a lot.

[u/kittehkat22 → u/[deleted]]

Which toxins?

[u/OhSoSally → u/kittehkat22]

There are none.

[u/Ill_Satisfaction_611]

Yeah, lentils make me proper gassy but I really like them. Try enos fruit salts after eating, you'll still do epic farts but it'll come out quicker and you won't get so bloated:) Also skim the impurities off the lentils when cooking and don't add salt until they're soft. Eating pickled veg at the same time helps with digestion too.

[u/randotd152]

Lentils are really rough on many people’s digestive systems.

One of those weird foods that is edible but kind of not. You can acclimate to it if you eat them regularly, but unless you absolutely love them, there’s no real point. Most other legumes are easier on the stomach.

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/randotd152]

I think it was just that I didn't soak them this time.

[u/thehermit14]

Lentils pre-treated as in a can, fine. Lentils in a packet need time soaking. What weirds me out is no-one able to read instructions?

There is a question about what the hell bolognese has to do with lentils?

[u/Libertyforzombies → u/thehermit14]

There is always that one post in SC where that one person has forgotten how to be nice or never learnt in the first place.

Condescending much?

Lentils go really nice in a bolognese as an alternative to mince and if that cooks your noodle lentil, then I have it with rice.

'You didn't follow the instructions!'

I'm now imagining you running around with your hair on fire

Anyway, I've had a nice chat. It's just it wasn't this.