Hearty Vegetarian Split Pea and Lentil Stew
This Hearty Vegetarian Split Pea and Lentil Stew is the perfect comfort food for chilly evenings. Bursting with rich flavors from a medley of herbs and seasoned vegetables, this nourishing stew uses both split peas and lentils for a protein-packed meal that everyone will love. Easy to prepare and even better as leftovers, this recipe will keep you warm while providing a wholesome, satisfying dish suitable for any occasion. Enjoy piled high with crusty bread or on its own for a deliciously fulfilling experience.
8
Servings
150
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried split peas
2 cups (rinsed and sorted)
vegetable stock
6 cups (or water)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
dry mustard
1 teaspoon (ground)
dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon (crushed)
dried basil
1/2 teaspoon (crumbled)
cumin
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
onions
2 large (chopped)
garlic cloves
6 medium (sliced)
celery
5 stalks (chopped)
carrots
4 medium (sliced)
sweet potato
1 (diced)
cooked lentils
1 cup (drained)
salt
to taste
fresh ground black pepper
to taste
balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons
Instructions
1
In a large pot, combine the dried split peas, vegetable stock (or water), bay leaf, dry mustard, marjoram, basil, and cumin.
2
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3
In a separate skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, sliced garlic, celery, carrots, and diced sweet potato. Sauté the mixture for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
4
Add the sautéed vegetables to the split pea mixture in the pot. Cover partially and let it simmer for an additional 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the stew becomes too thick, add more water or stock as needed.
5
After simmering, blend the stew using an immersion blender until smooth. Alternatively, you can carefully transfer batches of the stew to a blender or food processor for blending.
6
Once blended, add the cooked lentils to the pot and stir to combine.
7
Season the stew with salt, fresh ground black pepper, and balsamic vinegar to taste. Allow to simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
8
Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy your hearty vegetarian split pea and lentil stew!
Nutrition Information
1g
Fat
30g
Carbs
8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Vegetarian Split Pea and Lentil Stew?
It is a nourishing comfort food dish made with a blend of split peas, lentils, and seasoned vegetables, providing a protein-packed meal.
Is this recipe vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegan as it uses vegetable stock and plant-based ingredients.
Is the stew gluten-free?
Yes, according to the recipe tags, this stew is gluten-free.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 8 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 150 calories.
How much protein is in one serving?
There are 8 grams of protein per serving.
What are the primary legumes used in this stew?
The stew uses 2 cups of dried split peas and 1 cup of cooked lentils.
Do I need to soak the split peas?
The recipe instructions specify that the dried split peas should be rinsed and sorted before use.
Can I use water instead of vegetable stock?
Yes, you can substitute 6 cups of water for the vegetable stock.
What spices are needed for the base?
The base uses bay leaf, dry mustard, marjoram, basil, and cumin.
How long do the split peas simmer initially?
The split peas and spices should simmer for about 20 minutes before adding the vegetables.
Which vegetables are sautéed for the stew?
Onions, garlic, celery, carrots, and sweet potato are sautéed together in olive oil.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 6 medium garlic cloves, sliced.
How long does the stew simmer after adding the sautéed vegetables?
It simmers for an additional 40 minutes once the vegetables are added.
How do I achieve a smooth texture for the stew?
You can use an immersion blender directly in the pot or transfer batches to a regular blender until smooth.
When do I add the cooked lentils?
The cooked lentils are stirred into the pot after the rest of the stew has been blended.
What is the purpose of balsamic vinegar in this recipe?
Balsamic vinegar is added at the end to season the stew and meld the flavors.
How much fat is in each serving?
There is 1 gram of fat per serving.
What is the carbohydrate content?
Each serving contains 30 grams of carbohydrates.
What should I do if the stew is too thick?
If the stew becomes too thick during simmering, you can add more water or vegetable stock as needed.
What are the recommended garnishes?
The stew can be garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Is this stew good for leftovers?
Yes, the description notes that this recipe is even better as leftovers.
How many carrots are required?
The recipe requires 4 medium carrots, sliced.
How many celery stalks are used?
You will need 5 stalks of celery, chopped.
What type of potato is used?
One diced sweet potato is included in the vegetable mix.
How long is the final simmer after seasoning?
The stew should simmer for a final 5 minutes after adding salt, pepper, and vinegar.
Is there any cholesterol in this dish?
The recipe data indicates that cholesterol information is null, though the plant-based ingredients typically contain no cholesterol.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 large chopped onions.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 16 total ingredients in this recipe.
How should this stew be served?
It is recommended to serve it hot, either on its own or piled high with crusty bread.