Equipment
Ingredients
Base & Aromatics
- 300 g red lentils, dry
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 5 garlic, minced
- 30 ml olive oil
Spices & Flavorings
- 5 g ground turmeric
- 3 g ground cumin
- 2 g cayenne pepper
- 30 g tomato paste
- 30 g tamarind concentrate
- 10 g kosher salt
Liquids & Garnish
- 1000 ml vegetable broth, low-sodium
- 15 g fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
Nutrition (per serving)
Method
Place the red lentils in a fine mesh sieve and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. Set aside to drain.
Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the diced yellow onion and sauté until deeply golden brown and softened, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Stir in the turmeric, cumin, cayenne pepper, and tomato paste. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices and caramelize the tomato paste slightly.
Add the rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, and kosher salt. Stir well to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer gently for 30 minutes, or until the lentils have completely broken down into a thick, creamy consistency. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
Stir the tamarind concentrate into the stew. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt or cayenne if desired. Simmer for a final 5 minutes uncovered to allow the flavors to meld.
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the freshly chopped cilantro. Ladle into warm bowls and serve hot, ideally with warm flatbread.
Chef's Notes
- Tamarind formats vary greatly. If you can only find block tamarind, break off about 40g, soak it in 60ml of boiling water for 15 minutes, then massage it to release the pulp. Strain out the seeds and fibers, using only the extracted liquid in the recipe.
- Do not skip browning the onions. In Iranian cuisine, deeply caramelized onions (piaz daagh) provide the foundational savory sweetness that balances the intense acidity of the tamarind and the heat of the cayenne.
- For an even richer finish, you can temper additional garlic and spices in hot oil or vegan butter just before serving, pouring the sizzling aromatic oil over the top of the stew (a technique similar to an Indian tadka).
Storage
Refrigerator: 5 days — Thickens significantly as it cools. Thin with a splash of water or broth when reheating.
Freezer: 3 months — Freeze in airtight, portion-sized containers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently to prevent scorching on the bottom.
