Creamy Lentil Stew Food

HEARTY LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Finely dice the onion. Peel and finely chop the carrots. Chop the celery into small pieces. Mince the garlic.
• In a large pot, add the olive oil and heat over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, celery and garlic and cook 3 to 4 minutes until just translucent. Add the smoked paprika, cumin, fennel seeds, and lentils and stir 1 minute. Add the canned tomatoes and their juices, vegetable broth, and kosher salt.
• Bring to a simmer. Simmer covered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes. Remove lid and cook for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the lentils are tender. Stir in the spinach in the last minute or so and cook until it wilts (if using kale or chard, add it in the last 5 minutes).
• Remove from the heat. Taste and season with additional salt and fresh ground pepper as necessary. For best flavor, garnish with Parmesan cheese. Stores refrigerated for up to 4 days and frozen for 3 to 4 months.

HEARTY LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Place lentils in a fine mesh colander and rinse under cold running water to remove any dirt and debris. Pick through to make sure there aren't any little stones and discard any shriveled lentils.
• Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Stir in onions, celery, and leeks and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Toss in the garlic and for another minute or two.
• Add the lentils, kale, potatoes, carrots, canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, water and seasoning.
• Bring to a boil, then cover, and let simmer on medium-low heat for about 30 minutes or until lentils are tender and vegetables are just fork tender.

SMOKY LENTIL STEW WITH LEEKS AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Rinse lentils. Put them in a Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottomed pot and add 8 cups water. Pin a bay leaf to each onion half using a whole clove and add to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, add a large pinch of salt, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook with lid ajar for about 30 minutes, until soft. Turn off heat.
• Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of salted water to boil, and cook the potato slices until just done, about 10 minutes, then drain and spread out on a baking sheet to cool.
• Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is wavy, add leeks and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Let leeks cook briskly, stirring frequently until soft but still bright green, about 5 to 8 minutes. Turn heat to medium, stir in chopped garlic, thyme, pimentón and cayenne.
• Add saffron and soaking water, the chopped tomato and vinegar. Turn heat to high and let everything simmer for a few minutes. Pour contents of skillet into Dutch oven with lentils. Add the reserved potatoes.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook covered with lid ajar for about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, then cook for 10 more minutes. The lentils will be quite soft and the potatoes will start to break. Discard onion and thyme sprig.
• Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and chopped parsley, if you wish.

LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Place the potatoes, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and sausage in a large pot with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook 15 minutes.
• Stir lentils into the pot. Add more water if necessary to just cover all ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and continue cooking 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.