Lentil Stewp

So, I have ventured into my first recipe post. I apologise for the picture quality, next time I'll get more artsy around the chopping board. A second apology for my rough measurements, I'm very much a guesstimate cook. This is a lentil stewp. Stewp of course being a cross between stew and soup, all depending on how much liquid you add during the cook.

This is a super easy recipe, and it is full of nutrients. Have you been feeling run down recently? Just generally a bit unhealthy? Have you got a bit overexcited with the winter comfort food?

Cook up a big batch of this, and have a bit of a body reset. No, it's perhaps not as aesthetically pleasing as a pizza, but it will leave you feeling so much better.

Makes 8ish Servings

Ingredients:

4 red onions
4 carrots
4-6 sticks of celery
4 cloves of garlic
Parsley (I used dried, but use fresh if you're fancy)
Oil (I use olive but oil's oil)
1 teaspoon of thyme (dried)
1-2 teaspoon of chilli flakes (don't over do the chilli)
200g green lentils
200g red lentils
2 stock cubes (I use vegetable because I'm a vegetablearian but I guess beef might work)
A tin of cannelini beans (think around 400g)

IMPORTANT! IF YOU ARE USING DRIED LENTILS PUT THEM IN A BOWL OF WATER THE NIGHT BEFORE!

I always forget this and then curse myself for being an idiot. It's not an effort just, bowl, lentils, water, fridge, go to bed and forget about it. 

Directions

Get a huge pan, whack it on the stove, drizzle in some oil, and turn on the heat (medium). Whilst that's doing it's thing, chop your onions. Curse the inventor of mascara.

Chuck those babies in the pan, suppress your bitchy thoughts about my dirty stove.

Let them soften a little whilst you are prepping your carrots and celery. You know how to do that, peel, chop, end etc.

Chuck those in. Whilst they get going, get out your garlic crusher. Screw peeling it because, effort. Put the clove straight in the crusher and crush straight into the pan. The skin will be left, scrape that out with a knife, move onto the next clove, feel good about the precious seconds of your life you just saved.

Get a bit sexy with flavour. Shake that stuff like a polaroid picture all around the pan. Get your spoon and give it a stir. It wants it.

Now play hard to get. Put the lid on it and leave to cook for about 15 minutes or until the vegetables have softened.

You can play the field a bit now, go to the sink drain your lentils...

Use the kettle and make up about a pint of stock (more if you want soup, less if you want stew)

Double check the veggies are soft and then add your lentils and stock. Simmer until the lentils are soft. I'm afraid you're going to have to do some more reading here because it depends what it says on your packet. My lentils take 35 minutes. Suck it.

Now add your beans, simmer for a further ten minutes, than add a sprinkling (too much and you'd die, probably) of pepper and parsley. Stir, stir, stir, then serve. Have bread with it if you want.

If you don't feel like eating all 8 servings at once, pour it into containers and fridge or freeze it for instant goodness later in the week.