Looking for a quick and easy vegan meal? This vegetable lentil stew is ready in just 20 minutes! It’s perfect for family dinner .
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How To Make Lentil Stew
- Serving Suggestion
- FAQs Related To Lentil Stew
- Instant Pot Lentil Stew Recipe
Lentil Stew is a delicious, fulfilling vegetarian casserole made with brown lentils (whole masoor dal), vegetables (carrot, peas, onion, potato), herbs, and seasoning.
I like to call it a fridge-forage stew made with leftover vegetables and a few basic pantry staples.
It is one of my favourite dinner for the busy weeknights.
Reasons to LOVE Lentil Stew
- it is nutritious and nourishing
- only 10-minute cooking time
- family and budget-friendly
- it is vegan and gluten-free
- has zero added sugar
- one-pot meal ( means fewer dishes for cleaning )
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Brown Lentils: The base of this stew is the brown lentil or the whole masoor dal . I use the dried lentil and cook them i the stew itself. Lentils are the best source of plant-based protein. Here are my favourite 21 ways to eat lentils every day.
- Vegetables : From potato, sweet potato, carrot, beans, peas (fresh or frozen) , squash to green leafy vegetables or tomato, feel free to add vegetables of your choice in the stew.
- Herbs: Nothing beats the taste of fresh herbs in a stew. I love the combination of garlic, thyme, oregano, and parsley in my stew. But that does not mean you cannot experiment.
- Seasoning: I like to keep it simple and let the flavour of the fresh herbs shine throughout my stew. Hence, salt, pepper, and a dash of red paprika does the magic for me.
- Stock or Broth: If you want to make a flavoursome stew, please use vegetable stock instead of water to cook the lentil and vegetables. In case, you are out of homemade stock, use stock cubes/bouillon cubes dissolved in warm water or canned stock.
How To Make Lentil Stew
Here is a step-by-step instant pot stew cooking method.
- Wash, and soak the dry lentil in 1 cup of water for 10 – 15 minutes or till you chop vegetables for the stew.
- Set IP to saute mode for 5 minutes. Add oil, garlic, thyme, and onion in the inner pot. Saute for a minute to release the aroma.
- Next, add vegetables, soaked lentil, and saute for 1 – 2 minutes.
- Add warm vegetable stock , salt, and pepper. Stir to combine. Close the lid of the IP. Set the stew mode for 10 minutes. Move the steam valve to the sealing position.
- After the IP beeps, release the steam manually. Open the lid, gently mash the lentils using the back of the ladle. Add spinach leaves. Stir to combine them into the stew.
- Taste the stew, if required add more salt or pepper.
Serving Suggestion
Lentil Stew is a wholesome, one-pot meal in itself. Usually, apart from bread, there aren’t many sides required to accompany it.
Serve stew with homemade bread , over mashed potato or sweet potato, or on top of herb quinoa or couscous. It is best enjoyed on its own with artisanal bread slices.
Yes, you can use canned lentils. Drain all the liquid and rinse the lentils with water. Cook the stew only for 5 minutes.
From pumpkin, sweet potato, squash, kale, baby spinach, beans, boneless chicken, to turmeric, curry powder, and cheese, you can add a lot of your favourite to make this stew suit your taste preference. Stew is a highly customizable lentil recipe.
More Soup Recipes
- Green Pea Soup
- Minestrone Soup
- Vegetable Thukpa
- Creamy Corn Soup
- Mulligatawny Soup
- Almond Broccoli Soup
- Thai Green Curry Soup
- Healthy Mushroom Soup
Ingredients
- ▢ 1 Cup brown lentil (sabut masoor dal), uncooked
- ▢ 2 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- ▢ 1 teaspoon thyme
- ▢ ½ Cup chopped onion
- ▢ ½ Cup chopped carrot
- ▢ ½ Cup green peas (fresh or frozen )
- ▢ ½ Cup chopped potato
- ▢ 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ▢ Salt and pepper to taste
- ▢ 4 Cup warm vegetable stock ( see recipe )
- ▢ ½ Cup spinach, finely chopped
Instructions
- Wash, and soak the dry lentil in 1 cup of water for 10 – 15 minutes or till you chop vegetables for the stew.
- Set IP to saute mode for 5 minutes.
- Add oil, garlic, thyme, and onion in the inner pot. Saute for a minute to release the aroma.
- Next, add vegetables and saute for 1 – 2 minutes.
- Drain water from the soaked lentil. Add lentil to the inner pot of IP. Add salt and pepper. Saute for the remaining set time.
- Add warm vegetable stock. Stir to combine. Close the lid of the IP. Set the stew mode for 10 minutes. Move the steam valve to the sealing position.
- After the IP beeps, release the steam manually. Open the lid, gently mash the lentils using the back of the ladle. Add spinach leaves. Stir to combine them into the stew. Taste the stew, if required add more salt or pepper.
- Serve lentil stew warm with bread.
Recipe Notes:
- I have used dry, uncooked lentils for making the stew. If you are using canned lentils make sure to drain all the liquid and rinse them before adding in the stew.
- If vegetable stock is not available use 1 stock cube and dissolve it in 4 cups of hot water. Or you can use boiled pasta water to flavour the stew.
- If you are using frozen vegetables make sure to thaw them as per packet instructions before adding in the stew.
- You can jazz up your stew with curry powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, or red chilli flakes.
- If you are not vegan, then sprinkle parmesan cheese on your stew before serving. It is a total game-changer.
Nutrition
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Instant Pot Lentil Stew Recipe
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 1 Cup brown lentil (sabut masoor dal), uncooked
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- ½ Cup chopped onion
- ½ Cup chopped carrot
- ½ Cup green peas (fresh or frozen )
- ½ Cup chopped potato
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 Cup warm vegetable stock ( see recipe )
- ½ Cup spinach, finely chopped
Instructions
- Wash, and soak the dry lentil in 1 cup of water for 10 - 15 minutes or till you chop vegetables for the stew.
- Set IP to saute mode for 5 minutes.
- Add oil, garlic, thyme, and onion in the inner pot. Saute for a minute to release the aroma.
- Next, add vegetables and saute for 1 - 2 minutes.
- Drain water from the soaked lentil. Add lentil to the inner pot of IP. Add salt and pepper. Saute for the remaining set time.
- Add warm vegetable stock. Stir to combine. Close the lid of the IP. Set the stew mode for 10 minutes. Move the steam valve to the sealing position.
- After the IP beeps, release the steam manually. Open the lid, gently mash the lentils using the back of the ladle. Add spinach leaves. Stir to combine them into the stew. Taste the stew, if required add more salt or pepper.
- Serve lentil stew warm with bread.
Video
Notes
- I have used dry, uncooked lentils for making the stew. If you are using canned lentils make sure to drain all the liquid and rinse them before adding in the stew.
- If vegetable stock is not available use 1 stock cube and dissolve it in 4 cups of hot water. Or you can use boiled pasta water to flavour the stew.
- If you are using frozen vegetables make sure to thaw them as per packet instructions before adding in the stew.
- You can jazz up your stew with curry powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, or red chilli flakes.
- If you are not vegan, then sprinkle parmesan cheese on your stew before serving. It is a total game-changer.
Nutrition
Banana Chips are a tasty and crispy vegetarian Indian snack, also known as kele ke chips. Learn to make healthier banana chips in an air fryer.
About Banana Chips
Banana Chips, known in Hindi kele ke chips, are a vegan, gluten-free, crispy snack made with raw banana or plantain.
They are one of the beloved snacks across South India. From traditional snack shops to supermarkets, you will find plantain chips in various flavours in South India. Over the years, they have also become a widely loved edible souvenir for travellers.
Traditionally, these kele ke chips are deep-fried in coconut oil and later seasoned with only black pepper and salt.
I am sharing a healthier non-fried version of classic banana chips done in an air fryer with minimal oil.
Homemade vs Packaged Chips
One debatable question that always comes up about homemade chips – why make them at home?
My Answer: Homemade Chips are free of artificial flavour, colour, preservatives, and chemicals. They are made using grade-A quality oil in a hygienic environment. You can customize the seasoning and quantity of chips as per requirement ( make a small or large batch ).
All these reasons apply to homemade banana chips also.
More Reasons To Make Chips At Home
- air fryer friendly
- zero preservatives
- no wastage of oil
- easy to customize
- gluten and nut free
- vegan and vegetarian
Ingredients Required
Banana: You need green bananas (kachha kela) or plantain for making chips. A plantain is more like a potato with no taste, thick skin, and starchy. Do not use ripe bananas. I make a delicious sabzi and kebab using it.
Seasoning: Salt, Black Pepper, Turmeric, Red Chilli Powder
Oil: I use coconut oil to brush the chips and air fryer basket. Traditionally, plantain chips are deep-fried in coconut oil. You can use vegetable or refined oil also.
Apart from these ingredients, you need water.
How To Make
Step 1) Make slits in the skin of the plantain. Remove the thick green skin. Wash it with running water ( image 1 ).
Step 2) Make thin slices of banana using a mandoline slicer or chips slicer ( image 2 ).
Step 3) In a large and wide bowl, add water, salt, and turmeric powder. Stir to combine. Soak banana slices in this water for 5 minutes ( image 3 ). This step helps remove the starch and give chips a salted flavour.
Step 4) Drain all the water. Arrange banana slices in a clean kitchen towel. Gently pat them dry ( image 4 ).
Step 5) Brush the air fryer basket with coconut oil. Preheat the air fryer to 150 degrees Celcius.
Step 6) Arrange banana slices in the air fryer basket without overlapping each other. Air Fry at 150 degrees Celcius for 15 minutes. Shaking the basket once or twice during cooking time.
Step 7) Once the chips are ready, transfer them to a bowl immediately while they are hot. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and red chilli powder. Toss them in the seasoning.
Air Fryer Banana Chips are ready to enjoy.
Banana Chips Flavours
Plain Salted: Some purists like their banana chips only seasoned with salt. And trust me, plain salted chips are my favourite flavour too.
Salt & Pepper: Plantain Chips with a hint of black pepper tastes good too. The heat of pepper balances the sweetness of banana and coconut oil.
Spicy: You can make spicier chips by tossing them in salt, pepper, and a dash of red paprika or chilli powder.
Fusion Flavours: Add garlic powder, cheese powder, and onion powder for an infusion of modern flavours into your plantain chips.
Storage Suggestion
Like any other chips or munching snack, store banana chips in an air-tight container at room temperature. They remain fresh for 15 – 20 days. However, the taste of chips slowly changes after that, and they become rancid. It is best to make them in small batches to be consumed within a week or two.
Keep them away from moisture, and damp, humid places. You can pack plantain chips in a ziplock bag for travelling or school.
More Air Fryer Snack Recipes
- Aloo Tikki
- Pasta Chips
- Potato Chips
- Karela Chips
- Malai Broccoli
- Crispy Chickpeas
- Sweet Potato Chaat
If you try this recipe and love it, please leave a comment and a rating. This helps us grow and reach other food lovers like you.
Ingredients
- ▢ 2 large size raw banana/plantain (kachha kela)
- ▢ 1 tablespoon salt
- ▢ 1 tablespoon turmeric powder
- ▢ 4 Cup water
- ▢ 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Ingredients For Seasoning
- ▢ 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
- ▢ 1 teaspoon black pepper powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
Instructions
- Make slits in the skin of the plantain. Remove the thick green skin. Wash it with running water. Make sure the shape of the plantain remains intact.
- Make thin slices of banana using a mandoline slicer or chips slicer. You can do the same using a knife but ensure all pieces are thin and of equal size.
- In a large and wide bowl, add water, salt, and turmeric powder. Stir to combine. Soak banana slices in this water for 5 minutes. This step helps remove the starch and give chips a salted flavour.
- Drain all the water. Arrange banana slices in a clean kitchen towel. Gently pat them dry. Moist or wet slices won’t turn crisp properly while frying.
- Brush the air fryer basket with coconut oil. You can use vegetable or refined oil also instead of coconut oil. Preheat the air fryer to 150 degrees Celcius.
- Arrange banana slices in the air fryer basket without overlapping each other. Air Fry at 150 degrees Celcius for 15 minutes. Shaking the basket once or twice during cooking time.
- Once the chips are ready, transfer them to a bowl immediately while they are hot. Sprinkle salt, pepper, and red chilli powder. Toss them in the seasoning.
- Air Fryer Banana Chips are ready to enjoy.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition
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