This slow cooker lentil stew marries the heartiness of lentils with an array of colorful veggies, all spiced to perfection and cooked effortlessly in your slow cooker. Whether you’re sticking to a vegetarian meal or interested in adding more substantial chunks of meat, this stew offers the flexibility to tailor your protein options as you like.
– Pantry: Olive oil, lentils, chicken broth, crushed tomatoes. – Spices and seasonings: Harissa powder or paste, cardamom, ginger, curry powder, cinnamon, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, bay leaves. – Produce: Onions, bell peppers, celery, garlic, cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, lemon.
– French Green Lentils: Ideal for this stew. They retain their shape and pair well with the spices. – Brown Lentils: A good alternative with hearty texture, easy to find. – Red Lentils: Avoid for this recipe as they can become too mushy during slow cooking.
1. If you have time, sauté onions, peppers, celery, garlic, and spices in oil. 2. Shift the mixture into a slow cooker. Add lentils, veggies, broth, tomatoes, and bay leaves. Stir. 3. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours until lentils are soft. 4. Before serving, remove bay leaves, mix in spinach and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning.
If you are pressed for time, you can skip the sauteeing step, but it really does help enhance the flavors in the stew. Heating the spices will develop the flavors and 'liven' them up. Add meat if you want to make it a bit hearty, or swap out some of the veggies for what you have on hand.
This lentil stew recipe is all about creating a hearty and comforting stew using the humble lentil as the star ingredient. Remember that sautéing your veggies and spices can really kick those flavors up a notch, but if you're short on time, go ahead and skip that step.