Best 4 Savory Lentil Stew Recipes

HEARTY LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Place lentils in a fine mesh colander and rinse under cold running water to remove any dirt and debris. Pick through to make sure there aren't any little stones and discard any shriveled lentils.
• Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Stir in onions, celery, and leeks and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes.
• Toss in the garlic and for another minute or two.
• Add the lentils, kale, potatoes, carrots, canned tomatoes, vegetable broth, water and seasoning.
• Bring to a boil, then cover, and let simmer on medium-low heat for about 30 minutes or until lentils are tender and vegetables are just fork tender.

SAVORY LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Put the water in a large pot with the lentils, onion, carrot, celery, potatoes, parsley, thyme, pepper, cloves and liquid smoke.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover, and simmer for 35-45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, place the 2 tbsp water, shallot, and garlic in a small pan.
• Cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Mix in the cumin and coriander.
• Continue to cook, stirring, for another minute.
• Add to the soup and stir.
• Remove 3 cups of the soup to a blender.
• Puree until smooth and recombine with the rest of the soup.
• Serve with a splash of soy sauce.

LENTIL SOUP IN BREAD BOWLS

Steps:

• Cook the pancetta in a heavy-bottomed 4- to 5-quart pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until crisp and the fat has rendered, about 10 minutes. Add the onion and jalapeño pepper. Season with salt and sweat until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. (Add a little oil if your pot seems dry.) Add the cumin and coriander. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the lentils, can of tomatoes, chicken stock and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine, then increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes to marry the flavors. Reduce to a simmer and cover. Cook until the lentils are tender, start checking at 20 minutes. Continue cooking, uncovered, stirring to break down the lentils and thicken the soup, another 10 to 15 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Serve in bowls with a drizzle of olive oil, a dollop of yogurt and fresh cilantro leaves, or use the bread bowls. If using the bread bowls, cut a circle around the top of each with a paring knife, then gently pull out the tops. Remove some of the bread innards and have as a snack. Fill each bread bowl with hot soup and garnish with a dollop of yogurt and fresh cilantro leaves.
• Combine the flour, milk powder, yeast and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk together. Add the water and oil and mix with the dough hook until a dough forms, scraping down the sides. Knead on medium-high speed until it pulls away from the side of the bowl and makes a smacking noise, 12 to 15 minutes. (The dough will be very sticky and soft, but do not add more flour.) Scrape out into a liberally oiled bowl, then toss to coat in the oil and cover in plastic. Allow to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Place an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Prepare a parchment or silicone mat-lined baking sheet. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured countertop and gently fold over onto itself to deflate some of the gas. Divide the dough into 4 pieces and roll into tight balls. Evenly space the balls on the prepared baking sheet and cover with plastic. Let proof until puffy and almost doubled; depending on the temperature, this can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
• Snip the tops of the dough balls with scissors in an X and bake until golden brown and puffed up and they feel hollow when you tap, begin checking at 15 minutes. Let cool on a rack.

MUSHROOM LENTIL BARLEY STEW

Steps:

• In a slow cooker, mix the broth, button mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, barley, lentils, onion flakes, garlic, savory, bay leaves, basil, pepper, and salt.
• Cover, and cook 4 to 6 hours on High or 10 to 12 hours on Low. Remove bay leaves before serving.