The dish is a beautiful dance of colors, with the red lentils shining bright under the smooth, golden saffron-infused broth. Dotted with vibrant green herbs and crimson peppers, it's a feast for the eyes.

Mediterranean Saffron and Red Lentil Stew

Name: Mediterranean Saffron and Red Lentil Stew
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: Red Lentils, 1 Cup soaked for 30 minutes; Saffron Strands, a pinch soaked in 1 tbsp warm water; Mixed Seasonal Vegetables (Carrots, Red Bell Peppers, Zucchini), 2 Cups chopped; Chopped Tomatoes, 1 Cup None; Garlic, 4 Cloves minced; Chopped Onion, 1 medium None; Vegetable Broth, 4 Cups None; Turmeric, 1 tsp None; Cumin, 1 tsp None; Coriander Powder, 1 tsp None; Chilly Flakes, as per taste None; Fresh Coriander, for garnish None; Olive Oil, 2 tbsp None; Recipes Sea Salt, as per taste None

Category Main Course

Prep 30 minutes

Cook 25 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Sautéing

Diet Friendly Vegan

Daily Recipe: January 23, 2024

Introducing a warming, hearty fusion dish that combines the best of Mediterranean and Indian cuisines. It's a delightful saffron-infused lentil stew featuring seasonal vegetables and Indian aromatic spices for depth and complexity. The hero of this dish is the red lentils, a staple in both cuisines, while the saffron threads bring out a subtle and sophisticated flavor in this fusion recipe.

Ingredients (for 4)

Red lentils - 1 Cup - soaked for 30 minutes
Saffron strands - a pinch - soaked in 1 tbsp warm water
Mixed seasonal vegetables (carrots, red bell peppers, zucchini) - 2 Cups - chopped
Chopped tomatoes - 1 Cup - None
Garlic - 4 Cloves - minced
Chopped onion - 1 medium - None
Vegetable broth - 4 Cups - None
Turmeric - 1 tsp - None
Cumin - 1 tsp - None
Coriander powder - 1 tsp - None
Chilly flakes - as per taste - None
Fresh coriander - for garnish - None
Olive oil - 2 tbsp - None
Recipes sea salt - as per taste - None

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔥🧅🧄

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, add the chopped onions and minced garlic, and sauté until they start to caramelize.
Step 2 - 🥕🫑🥒

Add the chopped seasonal vegetables to the pot and sauté until they begin to soften.
Step 3 - 🥣🌶🧂

Drain the soaked lentils and add to the pot, along with turmeric, cumin, and coriander powder. Stir everything well.
Step 4 - 🍅🍲🌶

Add the chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth, saffron along with its soaking water, and chilly flakes to the pot. Mix them well.
Step 5 - 🥘⏲🧂

Cover the pot with a lid and let the stew simmer for about 25 minutes, until the lentils are fully cooked. Adjust the salt as per your taste.
Step 6 - 🥗🥣😋

Garnish the stew with fresh coriander before serving.

Additional

This is a flexible recipe, and you can switch the vegetables according to the season. It is a great dish to get the kids involved, as they can help with adding the ingredients to the pot. Should you desire a little protein, try adding grilled shrimps or chunks of chicken on top.