Lentil Chili With Cumin And Green Onions Food

HEALTHY LENTIL CHILI

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion, bell pepper, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Cook until vegetables are just tender and browned in spots, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, oregano and cumin, then continue to cook until fragrant and brick-red in color, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, beans (and their liquid), lentils, bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a couple grinds of black pepper. Bring to a steady simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Partially cover with a lid and gently simmer, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the chili has thickened slightly, 35 to 45 minutes.
• Remove the bay leaf and stir in the vinegar. Season with salt and black pepper. Ladle into bowls and serve with toppings as desired.

TAKE-OUT LENTIL SOUP WITH GARLIC AND CUMIN

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot set over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 6 minutes, until the onions become translucent. Add the cumin and continue to cook for another minute.
• Add the lentils, stock, salt and pepper, and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils have broken down. Add water if the soup needs thinning.
• Stir in the lemon juice, taste, and reseason if necessary.
• Ladle into soup bowls and drizzle with olive oil to serve.
• Tip: There are many varieties of lentils: red, green, yellow, and black. Although green is the easiest to find, any variety works well in this soup.
• Make ahead: This soup can be made up to 2 days ahead and kept covered in the refrigerator.

THREE BEAN AND LENTIL GREEN CHILI

Steps:

• Combine the tomatillos, garlic, onion and jalapeño in a food processor. Blitz until a chunky sauce forms, about 30 seconds. Add the lime zest and 1/2 cup cilantro. Blitz again until combined and broken down, 15 to 20 seconds.
• Heat a 6-quart Dutch oven or other large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Drizzle in 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil, to taste, and carefully pour in the tomatillo mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and some of the liquid has absorbed, 7 to 8 minutes. Liberally season with salt and pepper.
• Turn the heat down to medium low and add the bay leaf, vegetable broth, cannellini beans, chickpeas, navy beans, lentils, cumin, coriander and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Stir together, cover and cook on a low simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally so the bottom doesn't burn.
• Remove the lid and cook until the lentils are tender and the chili has thickened slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and squeeze in the juice from 1 of the zested limes; cut the other lime into wedges, for serving. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or pepper, if needed.
• Spoon the chili into bowls, top with sliced avocado, cilantro and lime wedges.