Spicy Vegetables with Lentils

 

 

This dish is a really great option for vegetarians or if you just don’t feel like eating meat/poultry.
Its not too complicated and satisfies even the ones who normally are not so found of vegetables.
It is inspired by the Indian cuisine while its not exactly an Indian dish.

The spices can be changed, you can leave out the ones you don’t like and add other spices if you want to, though this variation is perfected so if you add other spices it might taste odd!

What you need:

½ tablespoon black seen

½ tablespoon cumin seeds

½ tablespoon curry

½ tablespoon curcuma

¼ tablespoon paprika

¼ tablespoon ginger

¼ tablespoon pepper

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon hot spice/ chili powder

1 cube vegetable broth






2 tablespoon oil ( might be more- any oil will do, except olive oil as its not good for frying!)

3 carrots

2 zucchini

1 potato

1 onion


1 cup lentils

2.5 cups water

2 tablespoon tomato paste

How to prepare it:

1. Wash the lentils.

You can whether put them in a sieve and flush them or you can put them in a plastic bowl and add water, than stir them and remove the water ( you will have to do this a few times till the water comes out clean).

Now put the lentils with 2.5 cups of water and 2 tablespoon of tomato paste in a bowl and bring to boil.

2. While the lentils simmer on the fire you can peel and clean the vegetables.
Peel the potato and the carrots. Clean the zucchini.
Cut all vegetables into small cubes.
Peel the onion and chop it.

3. Use a big frying pan or a bowl. Insert the oil and heat.
Add the spices and leave for ½ minute. Take care that it doesn’t burn!
Keep on low heat/fire.
Now add the vegetables and stir well so that the vegetables are all covered in the spices.
Leave for 2-3 minutes and stir several times during this period.

4. Now add the lentils (including the water) to the vegetables.
Add some water if its too dry.
It shouldn’t swim in water but you should be able to stir the mix easily without anything sticking to the ground!.

5. Let the mix simmer on low fire until the carrots are tender.
The time varies but it shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes! Most probably less than 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the vegetables and turn of the heat when the carrots are tender.


This dish fits well to basmati rice, spice rice or simple Indian/ Arabic bread.
Another nice addition to this dish is yogurt.
It contains a lot of vitamins ( vegetables ) and iron ( from the lentils) therefore its healthy and definitely fitting into a diet regime.