Hearty Vegetable-Lentil Medley
This Hearty Vegetable-Lentil Medley is a warm and nourishing stew that blends vibrant vegetables with protein-rich lentils and wholesome brown rice. Perfect for cozy evenings or meal prep, this stew is not only filling but also packed with nutrients. The combination of garlic, herbs, and fresh parsley adds a delightful flavor to every bowl. This recipe serves 5 quarts, making it ideal for sharing with family or freezing for future meals. Enhance your dining experience with a touch of lemon juice that brightens the flavors and adds a refreshing twist.
10
Servings
200
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
dry lentils
2 cups (rinsed)
uncooked brown rice
3/4 cup (rinsed)
chopped tomatoes
28 ounces (canned, undrained)
tomato juice
48 ounces (canned)
water
4 cups (filtered)
garlic
4-5 cloves (minced)
large onion
1 (chopped)
celery ribs
3 (sliced)
carrots
4 (sliced)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
dried basil
2 teaspoons (dried)
dried oregano
2 teaspoons (dried)
dried thyme
2 teaspoons (dried)
black pepper
1 teaspoon (ground)
fresh parsley
3 tablespoons (chopped)
zucchini
1 (chopped)
medium potatoes
2 (peeled and chopped)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
dry mustard
1 teaspoon (dry)
salt
to taste (to season)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven, combine the rinsed lentils, brown rice, chopped tomatoes, tomato juice, water, minced garlic, chopped onion, sliced celery, sliced carrots, bay leaf, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, and ground black pepper.
2
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 1 hour, or until the rice and lentils are tender. Stir occasionally and add more water or tomato juice if necessary to maintain the desired consistency.
3
After the lentils and rice are tender, stir in the chopped zucchini, peeled and chopped potatoes, fresh parsley, freshly squeezed lemon juice, dry mustard, and salt to taste.
4
Cover the stew and continue to cook for an additional 30-60 minutes until all the vegetables are tender and the flavors meld together, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning as needed before serving.
5
Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
3g
Fat
36g
Carbs
8g
Protein
4g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Vegetable-Lentil Medley?
It is a warm and nourishing stew that blends vibrant vegetables with protein-rich lentils and wholesome brown rice.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe yields approximately 10 servings.
What is the total volume of the prepared stew?
The recipe serves a total of 5 quarts.
What are the primary sources of protein in this medley?
The protein primarily comes from the 2 cups of dry lentils and 3/4 cup of brown rice.
Is this recipe suitable for a vegetarian diet?
Yes, it is specifically tagged as a vegetarian and healthy recipe.
Is the Hearty Vegetable-Lentil Medley gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as gluten-free.
How many calories are in a single serving?
There are 200 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 3g of fat.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides 8g of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 36g of carbohydrates per serving.
How much fiber does this stew contain?
It contains 4g of fiber per serving, making it a high-fiber meal.
What type of rice should I use?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of uncooked brown rice.
Do I need to soak the lentils before cooking?
The instructions specify rinsing the lentils, but soaking is not required.
What kind of tomatoes are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 28 ounces of canned chopped tomatoes (undrained) and 48 ounces of tomato juice.
Which fresh vegetables are included in the medley?
The medley includes onion, celery, carrots, zucchini, and potatoes.
What herbs and spices are used for seasoning?
It is seasoned with garlic, bay leaf, dried basil, dried oregano, dried thyme, black pepper, fresh parsley, and dry mustard.
How long does the initial simmering phase take?
The initial mixture of lentils, rice, and base vegetables should simmer for about 1 hour.
When should the zucchini and potatoes be added?
Add the zucchini and potatoes after the lentils and rice are tender (after the first hour of simmering).
How long is the final cooking stage?
The stew cooks for an additional 30-60 minutes after adding the zucchini and potatoes.
What is the purpose of adding lemon juice?
Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens the flavors and adds a refreshing twist to the stew.
Can I store this recipe for later?
Yes, it is ideal for meal prep and can be frozen for future meals.
What cooking vessel is recommended for this recipe?
A large Dutch oven is recommended for preparation.
How do I adjust the consistency of the stew?
You can add more water or tomato juice if necessary to maintain your desired consistency while simmering.
Does this recipe contain any cholesterol?
The recipe data indicates that cholesterol is not present.
What should I do with the bay leaf before serving?
While not explicitly in the instructions, it is standard practice to remove the whole bay leaf before serving.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 4-5 minced cloves of garlic.
What is the recommended garnish?
Serve the stew hot, garnished with additional fresh parsley if desired.
What preparation is needed for the potatoes?
The two medium potatoes should be peeled and chopped.
How much tomato juice is required?
The recipe calls for 48 ounces of canned tomato juice.
Is this a good meal for cold weather?
Yes, it is described as a warm, nourishing comfort food perfect for cozy evenings.