Name: Hearty Lentil Stew
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups dried brown or green lentils, rinsed; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 medium onion, diced; 2 carrots, diced; 2 celery stalks, diced; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices; 6 cups vegetable or chicken broth; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 bay leaf; Salt and black pepper to taste; 2 cups chopped fresh spinach or kale; Juice of 1/2 lemon; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Description

This Hearty Lentil Stew is the perfect comforting dish for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 cups dried brown or green lentils, rinsed
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
6 cups vegetable or chicken broth
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 cups chopped fresh spinach or kale
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Begin by heating the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables have softened and the onion turns translucent. This step is crucial as it lays the flavor foundation for the rest of your stew. After the vegetables have softened, add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Now it’s time to enhance the base with your lentils and spices. Stir in the rinsed lentils, canned diced tomatoes along with their juices, broth, cumin, smoked paprika, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and allow your stew to simmer for about 30-35 minutes. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot; stirring occasionally can help with this.
After the lentils are tender, it’s time to add the fresh greens. Stir in the chopped spinach or kale and let it cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted. At this stage, add salt, pepper to taste, and the lemon juice to brighten the flavors. The lemon juice adds an extra zing and balances the earthiness of the lentils beautifully. Finally, don’t forget to remove the bay leaf before serving!

Notes

This stew tastes even better the next day, so consider making a double batch!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dinner

Nutrition

Calories: 250 kcal
Sodium: 600 mg
Protein: 15 g