Hearty Lentil Stew

Vegetarian Stew · Hearty Soup

Hearty Lentil Stew

30 minEasyServes 2Kids OK

Ingredients

dried lentils1 cupAny store
onion1/2Any store
carrot1/2Any store
celery1 stalkAny store

Sauce

minced garlic1 TbspAny store
whole or diced tomatoes1 cupAny store
vegetable stock or water3 cupsEither
olive oil1 TbspAny store
ground cumin1/2 tspAny store
salt, black peppera pinch eachAny store
10 to buy
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Steps

1

Rinse the lentils and drain.

~3 min

2

Heat olive oil in a pot and sauté the onion, carrot, celery, and minced garlic.

~5 min

Why: Sautéing the vegetables first draws out their sweetness, giving a deeper broth than lentils alone would.

3

Add the lentils, tomatoes, stock, and cumin and bring to a boil.

~3 min

4

Once boiling, reduce to medium-low and simmer 20 minutes until the lentils are tender.

~20 min

Watch out: Cooking time varies by lentil type — don't assume they're done, taste-test by biting into one.

5

Season with salt and pepper to finish.

~1 min

Tips

  • —

    A squeeze of lemon juice brightens it up at the end.

  • —

    Serve with bread for a heartier, filling meal.

  • —

    Lentils don't need soaking, so it's an easy start on a busy day.

Storage

Refrigerate 4 days, freeze 1 month — thicker and even better the next day.