Spicy Lentils

  

I decided to share this lovely dish as it is easy to make and is super nourishing. Lentils come in different sizes and colors - red, yellow, brown, green, and black. They are a powerhouse of nutrition including fiber, magnesium, iron, calcium, protein, and folic acid. Lentils are wonderful for the bones and help to strengthen immunity. They are stamina producing, and soothing for the emotions. You can add lentils to salads, stir fry's, soups or stews. This recipes adds a gorgeous zip with a variety of vegetables and spices. You can change the vegetables choice if there are ones that you prefer. 

Happy Cooking!

Spicy Lentils

Ingredients

1 cup french lentils rinsed (these ones are smaller and black in color)
1 onion diced
1 tomato diced
1 celery stalk diced
1 cup pumpkin or sweet potato cut into chunks
1 carrot diced
3 inch strip kombu
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cinammon
Cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped
1 tablespoon white miso diluted in a little water
Olive oil
Spring water

Preparation

Warm the oil in a heavy pot. Add the onion and saute for a minute.
Layer the tomatoes, celery, pumpkin, and carrot on top of the onions.
Place the kombu and lentils on top of the vegetables.
Cover the lentils with spring water.
Bring to a boil and add the spices. Do not add the sea salt or fresh ginger at this point.
Simmer, with a lid, on a low flame until the lentils are soft. It should take around 30 minutes.
Mix gently and season with the sea salt.
Continue to cook for another minute, mix again and turn off the flame.
Add the miso, fresh ginger, and cilantro and mix through.
Serve hot with freshly cooked brown rice and a lovely salad.

*You can add more or less of the spices depending on your taste

Enjoy!
Love Chef Mel xx