Name: Lemony Lentil Stew with Olive Oil Drizzle
Prep time: 35 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup dried green or brown lentils, rinsed; 1 small yellow onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 medium carrot, diced; 1 celery stalk, diced; 1 bay leaf; 4 cups vegetable broth (or water); 1/2 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided; 1 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon); 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Lemony Lentil Stew with Olive Oil Drizzle

PickledBerry0327

This Lemony Lentil Stew is a comforting, nourishing dish that’s perfect for a cool, rainy night in New York. The secret to its delicious depth is layering salt early while sautéing vegetables, infusing the broth with aromatic flavor, and finishing with a generous splash of olive oil and lemon juice to cut through the stew’s richness. It’s simple but sophisticated, delivering a balance of salt, fat, acid, and heat in each bite. The stew is hearty enough for a meal, yet light and zesty enough to keep you coming back for more. Fresh parsley and a final olive oil drizzle brighten every bowl.

Ingredients

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Season with a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until just fragrant. Add the rinsed lentils and bay leaf, stirring to coat the lentils with the oil and aromatics.
Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently until the lentils are tender but not mushy, 22-25 minutes. Taste halfway through and add more salt if needed.
Remove the bay leaf. Stir in lemon juice and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to add brightness and richness. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or more lemon juice as needed.
Ladle into bowls, garnish with chopped parsley and an extra drizzle of olive oil if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread or over rice.