SMOKY LENTIL STEW WITH LEEKS AND POTATOES
Rustic with deep flavor, this stew improves after a day in the fridge. Make the whole recipe, and eat it over several days - or freeze it for later. If you can't get small Spanish Pardina lentils or French lentilles du Puy, use any size green or brown lentil. (Carnivores may want to add chorizo or jamón.) The stew is rather brothy at first, but thickens upon sitting. Thin with a little water when reheating, as necessary. For optimum results, be sure to use fruity, zesty-tasting extra virgin olive oil - it really makes a difference.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, soups and stews, main course
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Rinse lentils. Put them in a Dutch oven or large, heavy-bottomed pot and add 8 cups water. Pin a bay leaf to each onion half using a whole clove and add to the pot. Bring to a boil over high heat, add a large pinch of salt, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook with lid ajar for about 30 minutes, until soft. Turn off heat.
- Meanwhile, bring a medium pot of salted water to boil, and cook the potato slices until just done, about 10 minutes, then drain and spread out on a baking sheet to cool.
- Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is wavy, add leeks and stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Let leeks cook briskly, stirring frequently until soft but still bright green, about 5 to 8 minutes. Turn heat to medium, stir in chopped garlic, thyme, pimentón and cayenne.
- Add saffron and soaking water, the chopped tomato and vinegar. Turn heat to high and let everything simmer for a few minutes. Pour contents of skillet into Dutch oven with lentils. Add the reserved potatoes.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook covered with lid ajar for about 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, then cook for 10 more minutes. The lentils will be quite soft and the potatoes will start to break. Discard onion and thyme sprig.
- Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and chopped parsley, if you wish.
ADASI
A Persian dish of simply cooked lentils, adasi is often eaten as a warming breakfast in Iran, but it can make a comforting lunch or dinner, too. There are many variations, but the core ingredients are the same: lentils, salt and water. This recipe also calls for onion, cumin and turmeric, then simmering until the lentils become soft and creamy. (Don't be deterred by the long cooking time, as the majority of it is hands off. To help reduce the cooking time, soak the lentils before cooking for two hours or up to overnight.) Garnishes are customizable: Add a pinch of dried oregano or fresh cilantro or parsley, then top with a pat of butter and enjoy as-is, or with a side of hard-boiled eggs or roast vegetables. It's a wonderful dish to have in the fridge for a quick, nourishing meal any time of day.
Provided by Yasmin Fahr
Categories dinner, weekday, beans, soups and stews, main course, side dish
Time 1h45m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium until shimmering. Add the onions, season with salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften and become light golden, about 6 minutes.
- Add the cumin and turmeric and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the lentils, then 5 cups water; season with salt. Increase the heat to bring it to a boil.
- Once it comes to a boil, give it stir, then reduce heat to low to maintain a simmer. Cover and let cook until the lentils are tender and creamy without a firm bite, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. (For ultimate creaminess, cook it on low for up to three hours, stirring every hour or so.)
- Remove the lid, stir and let any remaining water cook off, 5 to 10 minutes more, stirring occasionally to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom. Use a wooden spoon to mash some of the lentils against the side of the pan to thicken the soup, if desired. Season to taste with salt.
- Spoon into bowls, squeeze the juice of 1 lime wedge into each, drizzle with olive oil, then add a pinch of oregano or herbs, if using, and serve.
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