Mediterranean Saffron and Red Lentil Stew
A warm, hearty lentil stew with saffron infusion.
Daily recipe · January 23, 2024
A little about this dish
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
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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.
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Step 2 — 🥕🫑🥒Add the chopped seasonal vegetables to the pot and sauté until they begin to soften.
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Step 3 — 🥣🌶🧂Drain the soaked lentils and add to the pot, along with turmeric, cumin, and coriander powder. Stir everything well.
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Step 4 — 🍅🍲🌶Add the chopped tomatoes, vegetable broth, saffron along with its soaking water, and chilly flakes to the pot. Mix them well.
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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.
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Step 6 — 🥗🥣😋Garnish the stew with fresh coriander before serving.
A final fox tip
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.