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Filipino Lentil Bowl 2

Serves 4 to 6 Entree vegetarian

Filipino Lentil Bowl 2

Filipino Lentil Bowl 2 is a comforting staple that finds its place in everyday Filipino meals, embodying the spirit of home-cooked warmth. This dish, with its roots firmly planted in simple, accessible ingredients, showcases the Filipino ethos of using what’s available to create something nourishing and delightful. It’s not tied to any specific holiday or celebration but is rather a reliable presence on regular dining tables, perfect for any day when a hearty meal is needed.

A spoonful of this lentil bowl welcomes you with the earthiness of brown lentils, subtly enhanced by the warmth of cumin. The tomatoes and onions create a foundation of gentle sweetness and savory depth, while a generous hand with oil adds richness. Each bite is seasoned to personal perfection with fine sea salt and black pepper, offering a flexible canvas for the cook’s instinct. This dish is best enjoyed as it’s meant to be — shared among family and friends, straight from the pot.

Ingredients

  • 300 gbrown lentils
  • 1onion
  • 2tomatoes
  • 2 tbspoil
  • 1 tspcumin
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Start by rinsing 300 g of brown lentils under cold running water to remove any dirt or debris. Set them aside to drain. Dice 1 onion and 2 tomatoes into small, even pieces. This will ensure they cook evenly and blend well into the dish.
  2. In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp of oil over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion. Cook the onion slowly, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent and soft. This should take about 5 to 7 minutes, and the onion should release a sweet aroma.
  3. Add the diced tomatoes to the pot with the softened onions. Stir in 1 tsp of cumin, ensuring the spices coat the vegetables evenly. Allow the tomatoes to cook down until they start to break apart and form a thick sauce-like consistency. This will take about 5 minutes, and the mixture should smell fragrant and slightly tangy.
  4. Add the drained lentils to the pot, stirring them into the onion and tomato mixture. Pour in enough water to cover the lentils by about an inch. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a slow, steady bubbling. Cook the lentils until they are tender but not mushy, which should take about 20 to 25 minutes. The lentils should hold their shape but be soft to the bite.
  5. Once the lentils have reached the desired texture, season the dish with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the dish. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, keeping in mind that the flavors will continue to meld as the dish sits.
  6. Serve the Filipino Lentil Bowl 2 warm, ideally with steamed rice or crusty bread on the side. This dish is meant to be shared, so set it on the table family-style and enjoy the hearty, comforting flavors together.
Cover of Authentic Filipino Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Filipino Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Filipino Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Filipino volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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