Spiced Green Lentil Stew

Name: Spiced Green Lentil Stew
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: France
Ingredients: 300 g of green lentils (rinsed); 1 red onion (finely sliced); 1 red bell peppers (cut into small dice); 1 green bell peppers (cut into small dice); 3 garlic cloves (chopped); 20 g of ginger (freshly grated); 2 tbsp of olive oil; 750 ml of vegetable broth (hot); 1 tsp of turmeric (ground); 1 tsp of ground cumin; 1,5 tsp of salt; 3/4 tsp of black pepper (ground); ml of water; 120 g of plain yogurt (whisked); 1/2 bunch of parsley (fresh, finely chopped)

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This vegetarian lentil stew has a tender texture enhanced by the fresh notes of ginger and the mellow warmth of cumin. Ideal for a complete, comforting winter dinner, it's served hot with a dollop of creamy yogurt.

Total time: 1 h 05
Prep: 20 min
Cook: 45 min
Difficulty: Easy
Per person: €1.38

By the CookinBreak team

Goes well with

🎅 Christmas: all recipes

As a starter

Pumpkin Soup

42 minEasy

For dessert

Moist Almond Semolina Cake

50 minEasy

To drink

Mango Lassi

10 minEasy

Nutrition facts

per serving · estimate

345kcal

Protein21 g24%
Carbs45 g52%
Fat9 g23%
Fiber16 g

Share of each nutrient in the calories of one serving.

Good to know

Chef's tip

Add the salt only at the very end of cooking: salting lentils too early toughens their skins and considerably lengthens the time needed to get a tender texture.

Freezing : Can you freeze this recipe?

Yes

Very well, up to 3 months in individual portions in zip bags or airtight containers.

Storage : How long does it keep?

Keeps 3 to 4 days max in an airtight container in the fridge.

Making ahead : Can you make it the day before?

Yes

The flavors develop. Store in the fridge.

Reheating : How do you reheat it?

Reheat in a saucepan over low heat with a little water or broth. Microwave possible at medium power in intervals, stirring.

Variations

Vegan version: replace the plain yogurt with a spoonful of unsweetened soy yogurt or a drizzle of coconut cream.
Spicier version: add a pinch of Espelette pepper or half a chopped red chili when browning the onions.

Mistakes to avoid

Salting the cooking water at the start, which keeps the lentils from softening properly.
Cooking at a hard boil, because a too-vigorous boil makes the lentils burst instead of gently simmering them to tenderness.
Skipping the initial rinse of the lentils in a fine-mesh strainer to remove impurities and leftover dust.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to soak green lentils before cooking?

No, green lentils don't need any soaking. A simple rinse in clear water is enough before adding them to the Dutch oven with the aromatics.

Can I make this recipe with red lentils?

Red lentils cook much faster and break down quickly. Reduce the cooking time to 15 minutes to get a suitable texture rather than a purée.

What should I serve with this lentil stew?

This dish is a meal on its own, but it goes very well with a serving of brown basmati rice or nice slices of toasted country bread.

How do I know if the lentils are perfectly cooked?

Taste a lentil after 30 minutes of simmering: it should mash easily between your teeth with no chalky resistance in the center, while still holding its shape.