Sweet Lentil Stew East Africa Food

LENTIL STEW WITH COCONUT AND MADRAS CURRY

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, madras curry, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions start to soften, about 1 minute. Add the parsnips, sweet potatoes and red lentils and cook until warm, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the vegetable stock and coconut milk. Simmer until the vegetables are tender and the lentils are cooked, 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 1 minute more. Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with the Fresno chile, fresh mint and a lime wedge. Serve with grilled naan if desired.

SWEET LENTIL STEW (EAST AFRICA)

Steps:

• Cook lentils as directed by pkg until soft. Drain.
• Combine lentils and everything else. Stir well. Bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, until liquid thickens.

LENTIL STEW WITH PUMPKIN OR SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, water or stock, onion, garlic cloves and bay leaf in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Bring to a boil.
• Rub the saffron between your fingers and add to the pot, along with the turmeric and the cilantro. Reduce the heat, add salt to taste, cover and simmer 30 minutes.
• Remove the onion and garlic cloves from the pot, and add the remaining ingredients except the parsley. Bring back to a simmer, cover and simmer 30 minutes or until the lentils and vegetables are tender.
• Discard the cilantro bundle, taste and adjust seasonings.
• Just before serving, stir in the parsley.

WINTER SQUASH, CHICKPEA & RED LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Soak chickpeas in enough cold water to cover them by 2 inches for 6 hours or overnight. (Alternatively, use the quick-soak method: Place beans in a large pot with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour.) Drain when ready to use. If you like a very soft chickpea, use the quick method and let the chickpeas boil for five minutes in order to speed up the cooking process.
• Chef's note: Keep your squash and carrots large so that they can withstand the look cooking time without breaking down into the stew.
• Combine the soaked chickpeas, squash, carrots, onion, lentils, broth, tomato paste, ginger, cinnamon, cumin, salt, saffron and pepper in a 6-quart slow cooker.
• Put on the lid and cook on low until the chickpeas are tender and the lentils have begun to break down, about 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours.
• Chef's note: If you are planning to serve part of this as leftovers, remove that portion from the crock pot and scale the amount of lime juice accordingly. Reserve the rest of your lime to add after reheating the leftover stew.
• Stir in lime juice. Season with salt to taste.
• Serve over rice (white or brown) sprinkled with peanuts and cilantro.
• Place additional lime wedges on the side for diners to add as they wish.