Middle Eastern Lentil Stew

Lentils can be cooked in many different ways. Not only are they delicious, but they are extremly healthy for you. They are an excellent source of protein, fiber and folic acid. In this recipe, I combine middle eastern inspired spices which infuses this dish with so much flavour.

You will need:

1 Cup of dried green lentils

3 Onions, thinly sliced

4 Cloves of chopped garlic

2 Medium-sized tomatoes, cubed

2 Tablespoons of fresh shredded ginger

1/2 Teaspoon of ground clove

1 Teaspoon of ground cardamom

1 Teaspoon of ground tumeric

1 Teaspoon of ground coriander

1 Teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil or butter.

Salt to taste
　
In a medium-sized pot, heat the olive oil or butter and add the onions and garlic. Cook on low heat until the onions are nicely browned, or carmelized. (This is an important step because it gives the dish an amazing flavour)
Then, add the tomatoes and shredded ginger. Cook for about 5 minutes.
Once the tomatoes are simmering, add the dried lentils and stir until it is saturated in the juices. Then, add 5 cups of water and all the spices. Bring it to a boil. Then, cover and cook on low for about 40 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Depending on the consistency you prefer, you may want to add an extra cup of water if you feel you want a softer texture. (I personally feel 5 cups of water is plenty.)
When this is done, I like to serve the lentils in a bowl and add just a splash of raw extra virgin olive oil. It tastes great!!

Enjoy!!