1 and ½ cup of lentils
2 big carrots
3 big onions
3 garlic pieces
Optional: 1 tomato, chopped (fresh or tinned)
Coconut oil
Turmeric
Salt
First, this might totally sound like a normal lentil stew, BUT this is not the case at all. By trial and error with my very limited diet, I hit an amazing combo in coconut oil and turmeric, which is how very simple ingredients are elevated to a dish that everyone gets seconds of (even my friend's kid, who ended up with a tummy ache from overeating this instead of sweets!)
Leave the lentils in water overnight, rinse until water runs clear before cooking. But first, chop onions, garlic and carrots in smallish chunks and fry in a big pot in 4 tablespoons of coconut oil (yes, we’re being generous but we really want the flavour to come through). After 10 minutes when they are soft, add 3 tablespoons of turmeric powder, less if fresh and 1 tsp of salt (we want it salty since the lentils will not be salted themselves) so the vegetables sweat out all their deliciousness. Mix the turmeric well so the oil activates it. If you want to add tomato, chop it now and add.
Once the vegetables are soft, add about 5 tablespoons of water and scrape the bottom clear, add another 5 tablespoons, 1 tsp of salt (or more to taste) and leave to simmer for 10 minutes or so.
Now it’s lentil time! Add them with fresh water, making sure there are always either more vegetables or an equal amount of lentils and vegetables (depending if the variety of lentils grows). Mix well, make sure you have added just enough water to cover everything, then lower the fire and cover with a lid. Leave to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
You are allowed to add more water, but the water content should mostly increase and you might need to leave uncovered to evaporate some once the lentils are soft. The key part here is to make sure your lentil variety has cooked through. The longer it’s left to simmer, the more the flavours will be enhanced but with cutting and everything, you could be looking at 40 minutes easy anyway.
Serve with rice, bread or just eat as soupy deliciousness if you please.
Happy eating!
NJ.
P.S: tell me if you make this and how it comes out :)
Comments