El Guiso de Lentejas: Clásico, Abundante y Bien Criollo

lentils

🥗Healthier: split peas

💰Cheaper: dried beans

Split peas are lower in calories and beans are often cheaper.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil has similar health benefits, while canola is more economical.

vegetable broth

🥗Healthier: homemade broth

💰Cheaper: water with seasoning

Homemade broth is fresher and water with seasoning is cost-effective.

bay leaves

💰Cheaper: dried herbs

Dried herbs can provide similar flavor at a lower cost.

Soak lentils overnight.

Cut smoked bacon into lardons, removing the skin and slicing it into strips.

Place bacon in a clean pot over very low heat to brown and release fat.

Cut stew meat (shoulder) into cubes.

Once bacon is browned, remove it and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.

Add the stew meat to the pot over medium heat, browning it on all sides without moving it too much.

Season the meat with salt and let it cook for a few more minutes while chopping the onions.

Chop 2 small onions into even pieces.

Once the meat is browned, remove it and set aside.

Add a drizzle of oil to the pot and add the chopped onions to brown in the bacon fat.

Cut half a bell pepper into small cubes and add to the pot with the onions.

Finely chop 2 garlic cloves and add them to the pot after the onions and bell pepper have released their juices to prevent burning.

Sauté the mixture for about 5 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic.

Return the browned bacon and meat to the pot, mixing with the sofrito.

Add wine to lift the cooking liquid and deepen the flavor (optional).

Mash 1 cup of canned tomatoes with a fork before adding them to the pot.

Add seasonings: half a teaspoon of ground chili, 1 teaspoon of paprika, ground black pepper, and 2 bay leaves.

Cut the red chorizo into slices and add it to the pot.

Add sliced carrots, soaked lentils, and broth to the pot.

Simmer the stew loosely covered for 20 minutes.

Cut 2 medium potatoes into small cubes and add them to the pot.

Finish cooking for another 15-20 minutes over low heat until lentils and potatoes are tender.

Serve the stew piping hot.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary