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Hearty Lentil Chili

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Hearty Lentil Chili
Servings 8 Cook Time 0:45 Diet Gluten Free Diet Vegan Divider1 Created with Sketch.

Here’s a delicious, hearty lentil chili for those rainy days when you just want the ultimate comfort meal! It’s simple, requiring just 1 pot, basic ingredients, and comes together in less than 1 hour.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp avocado or coconut oil
  • 1 medium white or yellow onion, diced
  • 1 medium red pepper, diced
  • 1/2 tsp each sea salt and black pepper (divided // plus more to taste)
  • 4 cloves garlic (4 cloves yield ~2 Tbsp)
  • 3 Tbsp chili powder blend (divided // NOT chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or pure chili)
  • 2 Tbsp ground cumin (divided)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2, 15-ounce cans diced tomatoes (if unsalted, add more sea salt)
  • 3 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 ¾ cup water (plus more as needed)
  • 3/4 cup dry red lentils thoroughly rinsed in cold water + drained
  • 1-2 Tbsp coconut sugar (or maple syrup)

Directions:

1. Heat a large pot over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, onion, and red pepper. Season with a healthy pinch each salt and pepper and stir. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently.

2. Add garlic to a mortar and pestle and crush into a rough paste (alternatively, blend in a small food processor, or finely mince). Add to the pot with onion and red pepper, and season with another pinch salt and pepper.

3. Add 2/3 of the chili powder (2 Tbsp as original recipe is written), half of the cumin (1 Tbsp as original recipe is written), paprika, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and water, and stir to combine. Bring to a low boil over medium high heat.

4. Once boiling, add lentils and reduce heat to medium-low or low, so it’s at a gentle simmer. You want to see bubbles, but you don’t want it boiling. Cook for 15 minutes, or until lentils are mostly tender. As it’s cooking you may need to add more water if the mixture is looking too dry and the lentils aren’t submerged (I didn’t find that necessary).

5. Next add 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper, and remaining cumin (1 Tbsp as original recipe is written) and chili powder (1 Tbsp as original recipe is written), and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, then reduce heat slightly to low (or medium-low), cover, and gently simmer for 20 minutes to meld the flavors together. Stir occasionally. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 4 days, and in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop, or in the microwave.

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Enjoy!