Golden Lentil Stew Food

LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Heat a large pot over medium heat and add the oil. When hot, add the meat if using and brown for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onions, celery, carrots, garlic and spice and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add 6 cups water and scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the lentils and herb and bring to a simmer. Add the potatoes and simmer until the lentils and vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes. Add a splash of vinegar to taste and serve the stew in bowls. A fried egg on top would be delightful.

HEARTY VEGETARIAN LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Bring water and lentils to a boil in a large saucepan. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Increase heat to high, add wine, and let it sizzle and bubble for 1 minute. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 3 minutes.
• Stir in carrots, celery, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, cabbage, tomato paste, brown sugar, curry powder, garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, and cumin. Cook, stirring frequently, until flavors are well blended and vegetables are tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

LENTIL AND EGG STEW

Steps:

• Pulse onion, fennel, carrots, and chopped garlic in a food processor until soffritto is finely chopped. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a large pot over medium. Add soffritto, season with salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 10-12 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally and adding a splash of water if mixture is browning too quickly, until golden brown and very soft (it will look almost like a purée), 10-12 minutes. Add lentils and 6 cups water. Lay Parmesan rind on top (it may stick if it falls to the bottom). Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until lentils are tender, 35-45 minutes, depending on type. Taste and season with more salt.
• Meanwhile, place spinach in a glass bowl and add a splash of water and a pinch of salt. Microwave on high until bright green and slightly wilted, about 1 minute. Squeeze firmly to expel excess water, then cut in half. (If you don't have a microwave, add the spinach directly to the pot and let it wilt slightly before making divots for eggs.) Thin stew with water by 1/4-cupfuls if needed to loosen. Scatter wilted spinach across the top.
• Using the back of a spoon, create 4 divots in surface of stew and drop an egg into each. Cover pot and simmer stew very gently just until eggs are set, 8-12 minutes.
• While the eggs are cooking, heat a small saucepan over medium-high; pour in oil to come 1/4" up sides. Working one at a time, fry slices of bread, turning once and adding more oil as needed, until golden brown and crisp, about 1 minute per side for each slice. Season lightly with salt and rub with garlic clove.
• Carefully divide stew and eggs among bowls, add a splash of vinegar to each, and top with Pecorino. Serve with fried bread.
• Do Ahead
• Stew (without eggs and spinach) can be made 3 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.

GOLDEN LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, and cook 5 minutes. Add chickpeas, stock, and water, and simmer until tender, about 45 minutes.
• Mash garlic, finely chopped cilantro, and salt into a paste. Add garlic paste, celery, tomatoes, lentils, tomato paste, lemon juice, and spices to pot. Simmer until lentils are tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Add pasta and dates, and cook, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. Stir in coarsely chopped cilantro and parsley. Garnish with parsley leaves, and serve with lemon wedges.

RED LENTIL AND VEGETABLE STEW

Steps:

• Sauté the carrots, onion, and celery in the olive oil until they start to caramelize a bit.
• Add the garlic about a minute before the vegetables are finished sautéing.
• Add the red lentils, and stir until mixed with the vegetables.
• Add the stock, tomatoes and juice, cumin, and Tabasco, if using.
• Bring to a simmer over medium heat and reduce heat to medium low.
• Simmer until the lentils are tender, about 25 minutes.
• If the liquid all evaporates and the lentils are not done, add a little water to keep the simmer going.

EGYPTIAN LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Saute the onions in a large pot with the olive oil until the onions are golden.
• Add the water, the lentils, the (optional) soup mix, the Cumin, the Coriander, and the juice from the lemons.
• Cook on medium heat for 1 (one) hour or until the lentils are done, stirring every few minutes.
• Take the pot off the heat, give it a stir, and serve!

CREAMY LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Melt butter in a small pot or large saucepan over medium heat. When foam subsides, add onion, carrots, and celery and cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are beginning to soften but not developing any color, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, ginger, thyme, spices, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add tomatoes, lentils, and broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender and creamy, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove and discard thyme. Transfer about one-third of soup to a blender; purée until smooth. (Be careful blending the hot liquid: Remove feed cap from blender lid and cover with a kitchen towel to let steam escape; or pulse several times with an immersion blender directly in pot to partially purée.) Stir purée back into pot, with coconut milk and lemon juice. Serve with any combination of serving suggestions.