Description
Hearty “Lentil Chili” blends robust Mexican flavors with protein-packed legumes for a soul-warming meal. Spicy, comforting layers invite you to savor each rich, satisfying spoonful of this nutritious culinary adventure.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (16 ounces) bag of dry brown lentils
- 2 (32 ounces) cartons vegetable stock
- 2 (14.5 ounces) cans diced tomatoes
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Garnishes and Seasonings:
- 1/3 cup fresh chopped cilantro
- Kosher salt
- Fresh ground black pepper
- Red onions, minced
- Jalapeno, thinly sliced
- Additional cilantro, chopped
- Limes
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Sauté onions and red bell peppers until they become tender and develop a light golden hue, approximately 8-10 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and chili powder, stirring quickly to release aromatic flavors, about 30 seconds.
- Pour in vegetable stock, whole lentils, crushed tomatoes, and tuck in a bay leaf. Season generously with salt and cracked black pepper.
- Simmer the mixture partially covered on medium-low heat for 30 minutes, allowing lentils to become soft and tender. Remove bay leaf after cooking.
- Transfer 3-4 cups of the chili to a blender and puree until smooth and creamy. Return the blended mixture to the pot, stirring thoroughly to incorporate.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and serve with preferred toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, or diced avocado.
Notes
- Swap traditional lentils with green or brown varieties for varied texture and earthy flavors.
- Enhance spice levels by adding extra chili powder or a dash of cayenne for heat lovers.
- Blend a portion of the chili to create a creamy, thick consistency that binds ingredients together smoothly.
- Consider adding diced carrots or zucchini for extra nutrition and subtle sweetness without compromising the dish’s core flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 31 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 202 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg