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Cost per serve#
- Years 0 to 3: $1.00.
- Years 4 to 8: $1.20.
- Years 9 and above: $1.51.
Directions#
Rinse and soak lentils overnight in cold water.
Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
Drain lentils, then boil (1-part lentils to 2 parts water) for 30 minutes or until tender.
Drain and set aside.
Dice onion and grate pumpkin.
Heat oil in a pan and brown mince over high heat.
Add onion, carrot, and garlic, cooking until tender.
Stir through tomato paste then add grated pumpkin, canned tomatoes, lentils and mixed herbs.
Prepare gravy mix according to packet instructions and add to the pan.
Simmer for 20 minutes until thickened. Add peas in the last 5 minutes.
Make instant mashed potatoes with potato flakes, milk and water. Season with salt and pepper.
Pour the mince mixture into a baking dish, spread mash on top, sprinkle with cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Portioning guidance
Weigh out reference plates for each meal size to visually guide your portioning.
- Years 0 to 3: serve about 210g.
- Years 4 to 8: serve about 260g.
- Years 9 and above: serve about 320g.
Special diet substitution ideas#
- Vegetarian: remove mince and triple the amount of brown lentils.
- Vegan: remove mince and triple the amount of brown lentils. Use plant-based milk and cheese.
- Gluten-free: GF gravy.
- Dairy-free: plant-based milk and cheese.
- Halal: Halal-certified mince and gravy.
Recipe tips
- If pumpkin is costly, replace with frozen corn or another seasonal vegetable.
- Instant mashed potato is a fast and convenient alternative to traditional mash with a similar nutritional value.
- Consider preparing vegetables and cooking lentils a day ahead to save time.
- Adjust the lentil-to-mince ratio to match the preferences of your ākonga.
- Use a food processor for quicker vegetable preparation.
Gilmours product information#
Products and pricing are valid as at 29 September 2025 and are subject to change.
| Product description | Pack size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gilmours lentils brown | 3kg | $12.03 |
| FC pumpkin diced bag | 1kg | $7.54 |
| Brown Gilmours onions tag1 | 10kg | $9.04 |
| Value canola oil | 3l | $9.22 |
| Kiwi to the bone BF mince 85cl | 1kg | $15.10 |
| Fresh connection carrot grated | 1kg | $5.46 |
| Gilmours garlic crushed in oil | 1kg | $7.47 |
| Gilmours tomato paste A9 | 2.2kg | $6.07 |
| Gilmours tomatoes crushed | 2.5kg | $6.16 |
| Gilmours mixed herbs | 500g | $8.37 |
| Gilmours peas garden | 2kg | $5.87 |
| Continental gravy rich brown | 1.8kg | $23.85 |
| Gilmours potato flakes | 1.5kg | $12.87 |
| Pams value milk standard | 3l | $6.29 |
| Alpine cheese edam grated | 5kg | $74.16 |
