Spicy Lentil Tomato Stew

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 onion
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 carrot
• extra virgin olive oil
• salt
• 3 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 2 cups dried lentils (brown or green)
• 1 (15 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken stock, warmed
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• fresh ground black pepper

Recipe

• 1 optionally, you can soak the lentils in cold water before you start the prep for this. drain them before you add them to the soup.
• 2 mince the onion, celery, and garlic. peel and mince the carrot.
• 3 warm the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. add the onion, carrot, and celery with a pinch of salt. cook, stirring often, for 6 minutes.
• 4 add the garlic and cook for 1 minutes.
• 5 sprinkle on the spices, and stir.
• 6 make a space in the middle of the pot, and add the tomato paste. mix everything together until a thick paste forms.
• 7 add the chopped tomatoes with their juice and stir.
• 8 add the chicken broth and water and stir.
• 9 add the lentils. bring to a boil, then back the heat off to a simmer. simmer for 30 - 45 minutes, stirring often.
• 10 remove from the heat, add the lemon juice, and puree to desired consistency. (i like it left slightly chunky.).
• 11 add pepper to taste.
• 12 possible garnishes:.
• 13 lemon zest / freshly squeezed lemon juice.
• 14 plain yogurt blended with salt, pepper, and chopped parsley or cilantro.