Spicy Lentil Stew with Peppers and Onions
Christina Schmidhofer
NOTES: This dish provides a meal's worth of protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables (plus a lot of fiber), so all you need on the side is a crisp green salad. Firm brown lentils also pair wonderfully with hearty meat flavors, so you may want to try sautéing crumbled lean turkey sausage with the peppers and onion. End on a light note with slices of fragrant fresh pineapple from Hawaii. PREP AND COOK TIME: About 45 minutes.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Remove and discard stems and seeds from ancho chiles; rinse chiles. With scissors, cut chiles into about 1-inch pieces and drop into a blender. Cover with 1 cup boiling water. Let stand until chiles are soft, about 15 minutes, then whirl mixture until smooth.
Step 2
2
In a 4- to 6-quart pan, combine chile mixture, broth, 1/4 cup water, lentils, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring once or twice, until most of the liquid is absorbed and lentils are tender to bite but not falling apart, 20 to 25 minutes. Add more water if lentils get too dry.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, set a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add olive oil, bell peppers, onion, and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender-crisp to bite, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in cayenne to taste.
Step 4
4
Spoon lentils into wide, shallow bowls and top with pepper mixture. Sprinkle with the cilantro and salt to taste. Add a spoonful of sour cream if desired.
Ingredients
3 dried ancho chiles (about 1 oz. total)
1 can (14 oz.) reduced-sodium, fat-skimmed chicken broth
2 cups dried brown lentils, sorted for debris and rinsed
About 1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound red, yellow, and/or green bell peppers (about 2), rinsed, stemmed, seeded, and slivered lengthwise
1 onion (8 oz.), peeled, halved, and slivered lengthwise
2 garlic cloves, peeled and minced or pressed
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro
Reduced-fat sour cream (optional)
Directions
Step 1
1
Remove and discard stems and seeds from ancho chiles; rinse chiles. With scissors, cut chiles into about 1-inch pieces and drop into a blender. Cover with 1 cup boiling water. Let stand until chiles are soft, about 15 minutes, then whirl mixture until smooth.
Step 2
2
In a 4- to 6-quart pan, combine chile mixture, broth, 1/4 cup water, lentils, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer, stirring once or twice, until most of the liquid is absorbed and lentils are tender to bite but not falling apart, 20 to 25 minutes. Add more water if lentils get too dry.
Step 3
3
Meanwhile, set a 10- to 12-inch frying pan over medium-high heat. When hot, add olive oil, bell peppers, onion, and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are tender-crisp to bite, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in cayenne to taste.
Step 4
4
Spoon lentils into wide, shallow bowls and top with pepper mixture. Sprinkle with the cilantro and salt to taste. Add a spoonful of sour cream if desired.
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