Il Cucinologo
EN

Stewed Lentils

17/11/2023

Stewed lentils are a hearty and nutritious dish, very common in Italian cuisine, especially as a side dish for New Year’s Eve dinner, as they are said to bring luck and prosperity. The dish can vary in its preparation methods depending on the Italian regions, but here is a classic version:

Ingredients

  • 300 g dried lentils
  • 1 small onion
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 500 ml vegetable broth or water
  • 250 g canned peeled tomatoes or tomato passata
  • Extra virgin olive oil to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • (Optional) Chili pepper to taste
  • (Optional) Pancetta or guanciale cut into cubes for a richer version

Preparation

  1. Rinse the lentils under running water and check that there are no pebbles or impurities.
  2. Finely chop the onion, carrot, and celery to prepare a soffritto. Crush the garlic cloves.
  3. In a large pot, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the chopped vegetables along with the garlic and bay leaf. Sauté until the mixture is golden. If you have chosen to use pancetta or guanciale, add it at this stage.
  4. Add the lentils to the pot and lightly toast them with the vegetables for a few minutes.
  5. Pour in the peeled tomatoes or tomato passata and stir. If using peeled tomatoes, lightly crush them with a wooden spoon while cooking.
  6. Add the vegetable broth or water until all the lentils are covered. You can adjust with salt and pepper and, if you like, add a piece of chili pepper for a spicy touch.
  7. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer with the lid partially open, for about 30-45 minutes or until the lentils are tender but not falling apart.
  8. If the liquid dries out too much during cooking, you can add a little hot water.
  9. Once ready, remove the bay leaf and garlic, and serve hot, with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil raw.

Remember that lentils do not require pre-soaking like other legumes, but if you prefer, you can still soak them for a few hours before cooking; this may slightly reduce the cooking time.

Fun Facts

Lentils were one of the first foods to be cultivated by humans and are a symbol of abundance in many cultures, not just in Italy. They are particularly appreciated for their high content of proteins and fibers.