Lentil Stew With A Mediterranean Twist Food

SLOW COOKER MEDITERRANEAN LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Warm water and vegetable bouillon in a slow cooker on High until dissolved. Add lentils, carrots, and potatoes.
• Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cumin and coriander and cook and stir until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Add oil, followed by onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Remove from heat and transfer to the slow cooker. Stir. Add tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Stir in spinach.
• Cook on High, stirring every 30 minutes, until lentils are tender and stew has thickened, 3 to 4 hours.

LENTIL STEW WITH A MEDITERRANEAN TWIST

Steps:

• Cut/dice the red skin potatoes into approx 1/2-inch-ish cubes, with skin still on. I generally use smaller golfball-to-racquetball sized potatoes. Grate the zest from 2 small -to-medium lemons into a dish, and then juice the lemons, a little extra juice/zest (beyond wht the recipe calls for) is okay.
• In a large pot heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, stirring for 30 seconds over medium heat. Add the chicken stock and the lentils, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for at least 10 minutes.
• Add the potatoes, cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Sample the lentils, checking every few minutes for soft smooth texture, replace cover and simmer till the lentil texture is as soft as you prefer.
• Add the lemon juice, zest, and spinach. Simmer for 3-5 minutes or until the spinach wilts. Fold in the mint and parsley. Adjust the seasonings (salt & pepper to taste).
• Serve with crumbled feta.
• Notes: 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes can also be added with the lentils & chicken stock at the first stage - I like it better without the tomatoes, but I thought I'd note that variation if you are tomato-inclined.

SLOW-COOKER SWEET POTATO AND LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• Combine the sweet potato, carrots, celery, leeks, lentils, ginger, 3/4 teaspoon curry powder and 1 teaspoon salt in a 4-to-6-quart slow cooker. Add 6 cups water and stir, then cover and cook on low, undisturbed, 8 hours.
• Stir the soup vigorously with a whisk to make a rough puree. Thin with hot water, if desired.
• Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon curry powder and cook until the curry powder is slightly toasted, about 1 minute. Stir the curry mixture into the soup and add the lemon juice, cilantro, and salt to taste. Serve with lemon wedges.