Mexican Lentil Stew

I found this recipe at Budgetbytes.com. The recipe as written makes 12 servings so adjust recipe by half, or according to your desired servings. It's a quick and easy stew and very tasty too!

2 cups dry red lentils
4 cups of water
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced ( I had a red onion, so used that)
3 stalks celery, diced
4 cloves, garlic, minced
2- 14.5oz cans fire roasted diced tomatoes
4 cups vegetable broth ( I used chicken broth)
1/4 teaspoon EACH turmeric and cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
10-15 dashes hot sauce (tabasco)
1 medium lime
1 bunch cilantro, chopped

In a medium pot, bring dry lentils and water to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, turn off the heat and let sit with a lid on the pot for about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile heat olive oil in a stock pot over medium heat, and begin to cook onion, add celery and garlic and cook until they are soft, but not brown. Add the diced tomatoes, broth, turmeric, cumin, chili powder and hot sauce. Continue to cook over medium heat until hot. ( I simmered for about 5 minutes).

By now the 20 minutes is up and your lentils are cooked. Add the lentils and any remaining water from the pan to the stockpot. Stir well and slightly mash the lentils using the back of your spoon. Once the entire mixture is hot, add a squeeze of lime, salt and pepper to taste and the chopped cilantro.

Serve with more lime and some tortilla chips if you have them!

Bright Red Lentil & Lemon Stew

I found this recipe for Lentil and Lemon Stew on inmybowl.com its a keeper! 


1 tablespoon coconut oil, liquid (I used olive oil)
1 large yellow onion, peeled and medium diced
5 large cloves garlic, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon  fresh ginger, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin ( I used ground roasted cumin)
15 ounce can petite diced tomato ( I used fire roasted)
1 lemon, sliced into rounds and seeds removed
3 cups low sodium vegetable broth ( I used chicken broth)
1 cup dried red lentils
1 bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped

 Heat coconut oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy saucepan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes, or until soft and translucent.

Stir in the garlic, ginger, and cumin and continue stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Stir in the tomatoes, 1/2 the lemon slices, broth, and lentils and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and allow to simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until lentils are soft and tender. Remove from heat and squeeze in the remaining lemon slices. Serve sprinkled with fresh cilantro.

Chicken & Dumplings

• 2 tbl butter
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 3 stalks celery, sliced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 heaping tbl flour
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1-2 tsp chicken bouillon
• 1 cup broccoli florets, optional
• 2/3 cup bisquick baking mix
• 3 tbl milk
• 2 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite size pieces

Soup:

In dutch oven melt butter, add onion, celery and carrots. Stir and cook until softened, about 6 minutes. Add 2 heaping tablespoons of flour to onion mixture. Stir to incorporate flour and onion mixture, and cook for about 2 minutes to cook out flour taste. Slowly add chicken broth, (and chicken bouillon if using) stirring constantly. Add broccoli florets if using. Bring liquid to a boil. Meanwhile make your dumpling dough while soup is coming to a boil.

Dumplings: *** I double dumpling recipe

Mix according to directions on bisquick box: Stir 2/3 cup bisquick and 3 tablespoons milk in a bowl. ONLY MIX about 4 or 5 stirs, because you do not want to over mix the dough. Over mixing makes them tough. Drop by heaping teaspoons full (they will expand when cooking) onto boiling liquid. Cover immediately and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer covered for 15 minutes. (you are "steaming" the dumplings giving them a more fluffy texture.) Uncover and simmer another 5 minutes. Add cut up chicken. I add a few shakes of black pepper and dried parsley. Serve.