I’ve cooked this cozy lentil stew a thousand times, and it’s still one of my most reliable, budget-friendly meals. Simple techniques that turn basic ingredients into deep, rich and flavorful bites. The kind of dish you’ll want to make again and again.
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RECIPE: THE COZY ITALIAN LENTILS I’VE MADE A THOUSAND TIMES
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Ingredients: Veggies
1 Medium onion, diced
3 Bell pepper, diced small
2 Medium potatoes, diced small
Optional: Celery or carrot (if you want a classic mirepoix)
SEASONINGS:
1 Tbsp coriander seeds, ground
1 Tbsp fennel seeds, ground
¾ Tsp anise seeds, ground
1 Tsp white peppercorns, ground
2 Bay leaves
6 Cloves garlic, sliced
1 Lemon, zest and juice
Pinch dried chili flakes, ground
Stew Base:
3 Tbsp tomato paste
1 Cup French green lentils (rinsed well )
1 Can crushed tomatoes (no salt added)
4 Cups water ( add extra if needed)
2 Bay leaves
1 Tbsp Vegetable bouillon paste (instead of salt)
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 Tsp smoked paprika
1 Handful Fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Prep the vegetables
Dice onions, peppers, and potatoes
2. Make the spice-garlic-lemon paste
In a mortar and pestle, crush coriander, fennel, anise, white peppercorns, and chili flakes until coarse.
Add the sliced garlic and lemon zest. Pound again into a fragrant paste.
3. Fry the tomato paste
Heat olive oil over medium-high and add 3 tbsp tomato paste. Cook until it starts to darken and caramelizes. Add the spice paste and fry briefly to bloom the aromatics.
4. Add the vegetables
Add all diced vegetables to the pot. Stir to coat in the tomato-spice mixture and cook until they soften.
5. Add lentils and liquids
Stir in rinsed French green lentils.
Add crushed tomatoes, 4 cups water, lemon juice, and bay leaves.
6. Simmer
Once it comes to slow boil, add potatoes.
Lower heat to medium-low and simmer until lentils and potatoes are tender.
Add more water if it thickens too quickly.
7. Season and finish
Taste. Add veggie Boullion .
Add smoked paprika, adjust salt and pepper, and finish with fresh parsley.
Don’t forget about the toppings, i show a few combinations but do, make it your own here.
See you soon.
PS: Gary is doing great and loving the snowy cool days in the mid-west.
27 Comments
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Drop a comment on the recipe you use. It helps me understand how I can best support for future videos. Frank's says, "Whatever."
Is this recipe written out anywhere? Is it in his cookbook?
Loved the video until the part where you cut on the cooking action to show your dogs. It's distracting unfunny and had nothing to do with the content. Not my cup of tea but to each his own.
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you are soooo fast! lovely
What confuse me is why put the lemon in the beginning?
10:17 Yes to incorporating both cooked and fresh onions!
Find a zero waste way instead of the parchment paper and it could be nice 🙂 though most the spices I can't taste so can skip 🤦🏽♀️ love the pace of your videos
Could you do this in an instant pot? I know it’s probably not ideal but standing cooking with a chronic illness is difficult.
Can I just say that I made this yesterday and haven't been able to stop eating it. It's unbelievable. Just need to get myself a pestle and mortar as I had to use a blender lol. But thank you for this amazing recipe
I’m not vegan. Never going to be. But good food is good food and this is good food!
New sub! I’m going to make this after I locate the seasonings at HEB!
That's looks very good !
0:54 Frankie walks in like a boss 😎👀 lol 😂😂😅😅
Where are your knives from?
Shouldn’t onions always be cooked before the garlic?
I have just come across your channel your knife skills are brilliant and your food looks amazing thank you for sharing your knowledge x
Years later and I'm still impressed by the tongs thing
I tried cutting the onions the same as in the video but had to stop after cutting two fingers off .
New vegan subscriber here. I’ve cooked from scratch for years, whole food bc I like the taste and find it most nourishing, BUT I SUCK AT MAKING COMPLEX DISHES so I am here to learn from your awesome cooking skills. 🌱🌱
I cook for myself so I only slab together a cooked grain eg brown rice and a legume of my choice and a vegetable — and that’s it — but I wan to learn to make more tasty dishes like the ones on your channel.
— A lazy vegan.
Can I just say I really enjoy your videos and your food! Making this dish for a dinner party! Did the black eyed peas and greens last week. You are just super fun to watch and love Frankie and the food…. Holy moses…. Yum yum yum!!!! Thank you for bring here!
I like you dogs face popping from time to time!
Looks delicious, thank you. 😊
What a healthy looking guy, wow
Do we need to eat only the soup? Or with rice? I'm new to this.
I'll be making this tomorrow minus the tofu and meat substitute. I'll have a little real meat to go along with this. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
"Wait…another thing I'm gonna add… "😄 Seriously, thanks for more good vegan meal prep!
Awesomeness ❤