Simply amazing, easy and perfect on that cold winter night. This dish is a staple in our home and I was lucky enough to have children who enjoy trying different types of foods. This very common dish was served up often in my husband’s household and since we lost his mother to COVID, I thought it would be nice to feature one of her dishes at The Pink Rhubarb. We miss you Nona! Thank you for all of your fine cooking and sense of tradition. I only hope I have raised a family half as good as you did.
Lentils with Butternut Squash
5 cups
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 cloves of Garlic
1/2 Red Onion
2 Celery Stalks
1 cup cubed Butternut Squash
2 teaspoons Curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon Paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground Sage or fresh
1 teaspoon Fresh dried Rosemary
Salt & Pepper to taste
16 ounces Green Lentils
32 ounces Chicken, Beef or Vegetable Stock
Instructions
Heat a heavy large, 4 quart pot over medium heat.
Add the Olive Oil, Garlic and Red Onion and sauté until just soft.
Add the diced Celery and Butternut Squash, stir and continue to cook for 3 more minutes.
Sprinkle all of the spices and herbs over the sautéd vegetables and “bloom” them so the flavors can come out.
Add the Lentils and toss everything together until well blended. Continue to cook for a few more minutes.
Pour the Stock over everything, stir, cover the pan then turn the heat to low.
Continue to cook for 30 minutes making sure to check the moisture in the pan. Lentils absorb liquid so you want to regulate them and keep a bit of liquid at the bottom of the pan.
Taste test the Lentils to ensure they are soft and that the Butternut Squash is cooked through. Add extra spices or seasoning if you need more flavor.
Notes
We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Lentils and find even our biggest carnivores like them too. Often times they are perfect in just a big bowl with some grated Parmesan onto, or with pasta and a slice of French bread. An amazing meal, quick and easy with tons of nutrition. Get them eating all kinds of foods early on to expand those tiny little palates. Eat in good health.