Mexican Spiced Lentils
A warm, cozy bowl of lentils spiced with Mexican flavors, perfect for busy weeknights and adaptable with various ingredients.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup lentils (green or brown)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- to taste Salt and pepper
- to garnish Fresh cilantro
Instructions
Preparation
- Rinse the lentils under cold water and set aside.
- In a large pot, heat some oil over medium heat.
- Add the onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent.
- Add the bell pepper, carrot, and tomatoes, and cook for about 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
- Stir in the lentils, vegetable broth, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes, or until the lentils are tender.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.
Notes
Keep an eye on your lentils as they simmer. Different varieties might take a little more time, but they will ultimately soften beautifully. You can adapt the spices according to your taste. This dish is great for make-ahead meals and leftovers can be transformed into various dishes like wraps or burritos.