Description
A hearty and flavorful French Puy lentil ragout that’s perfect as a nutritious side dish or light main. This rustic recipe features tender lentils simmered with aromatic vegetables, herbs, and rich tomato paste, delivering a comforting and earthy taste inspired by classic French cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 1/2 onion, finely diced
- 1 large carrot, peeled and finely diced
- 1 bay leaf, preferably fresh otherwise dried
- 1 thyme sprig
- 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
Legumes and Others
- 1 cup Puy lentils (French lentils)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 cups vegetable stock, preferably homemade (or low sodium store-bought)
- 1/2 tsp salt (skip if using store-bought stock)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Heat olive oil: In a large saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil until shimmering but not smoking, preparing the base for sautéing.
- Sauté aromatics: Add the minced garlic, diced carrot, and onion to the pan. Cook and stir frequently for around 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and release their fragrance without browning.
- Incorporate tomato paste and herbs: Stir in the tomato paste, bay leaf, and thyme sprig. Cook for 2 minutes while stirring to deepen the tomato flavor and allow the herbs to infuse.
- Add lentils and simmer: Pour in the Puy lentils, vegetable stock, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine. Increase heat to bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce to low heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes until the lentils are tender but retain their shape without becoming mushy.
- Season and finish: Remove from heat, stir in the freshly chopped parsley, and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as needed. Serve warm as a delicious side dish or light main.
Notes
- Puy Lentils: These small greenish-black mottled lentils hold their shape well when cooked, making them ideal for ragouts and are commonly available dried at larger supermarkets.
- Stock quality: Using homemade vegetable stock greatly enhances the dish’s flavor compared to store-bought options. Homemade stock is easy to make and adds a depth that elevates this ragout to restaurant-quality taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 200 g)
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 12 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
