Lentil Stew

Lentil Stew

 

 

Prep time: 15 Min - Cook time: 1 Hour - Total time: 1 H & 15 M

 

 

Ingredients

 

• 1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced thin (I used Polska Kielbasa)
• 6 garlic cloves, finely minced
• 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup red pepper, finely chopped
• 4 cups carrots, diced
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• 1.5 TBS Berbere
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 TBS sugar (optional) 2 TBS fresh parsley for garnish
• Salt and Pepper
• 1 TBS smoked paprika
• 1 TBS extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cups dried lentils
• 2 quarts beef stock
• 1-2 TBS tomato paste

 

Instructions

 

1. Rinse the lentils in a strainer under running water and take a quick look through to make sure there is no debris, or rocks. This should knock any dust off from your lentils, set aside.
2. Chop, dice, and mince all of the ingredients you need and gather your spices to have at the ready.
3. Add the sausage to a Dutch oven, over medium heat and saute for 5-10 minutes until slightly browned and fat has started to render out. Judge for yourself how much fat is too much, and remove some if necessary.
4. Add your chopped vegetables and stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables have started to soften.
5. Add your spices, then lentils, and the stock, adding more water/stock as necessary to completely cover the lentils by at least an inch.
6. Cover and cook for 30-40 minutes until lentils have softened. You can break up some of the lentils with a potato masher, or use a hand held blender. Adjust your seasonings and serve with some amazing bread, Naan bread is the best choice here.

 

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Notes:

 

Warm and satisfying, the spices surprised me, but gave the dish a feeling of home.

 

Lentil Stew/Soup takes me back to a simpler time when I was in Girl Scouts. This recipe is similar to one we made at one of our first overnight camps. I have loved lentils ever since. They don't require soaking, and I used to add them to all kinds of dishes and my children never knew it.  Sneaky little lentils add fiber to a lot of things, and also stretch the meals - things like spaghetti sauce, sloppy joes, etc - and they never know.

 

This recipe makes a pretty big pot of soup - could easily feed 6-8 or save some for your freezer or lunches - or both.

 

 

 

All Photographs Copyright Tink's Kitchen and JSGrey