Ingredients:
– 1 cup dried green or brown , rinsed and drained
– 4 cups vegetable broth or water
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 carrots, diced
– 2 celery stalks, diced
– 3 garlic cloves, minced
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
– 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
– Salt to taste
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 1 bay leaf
– Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic, and cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
2. Add the lentils, broth or water, smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, black pepper, and bay leaf. Stir to combine.
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally and add more liquid if necessary.
4. Once the lentils are cooked, remove the bay leaf and season the stew with salt to taste. You can also add more spices or herbs if desired.
5. Serve the lentil stew hot, garnished with chopped parsley. You can also add a dollop of yogurt or sour cream on top, or serve some crusty bread on the side.
Tips:
– You can use canned or precooked lentils instead of dried lentils if you’re short on time. Just adjust the time accordingly.
– Feel free to add other vegetables to the stew, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, or zucchini. You can also use different types of lentils, such as red or yellow lentils, although the cooking time may vary.
– To make the lentil stew thicker, you can mash some of the cooked lentils with a fork or blend the stew with an immersion blender.
– Leftover lentil stew can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat it on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
In conclusion, lentil stew is a tasty and healthy meal that can be enjoyed by everyone, whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian, or omnivore. This recipe is a great starting point, but you can adjust it to your liking and experiment with different flavors and textures. Lentil stew is also a budget-friendly dish that can be made in large batches and leftovers can be repurposed into other , such as soup, salad, or curry. Give it a try and see how it satisfies your appetite and warms your soul!