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Filipino Lentil Bowl

Serves 4 to 6 Entree vegetarian

Filipino Lentil Bowl

Filipino Lentil Bowl is a comforting dish often found on Filipino home tables, where the cooking is intuitive and generous. It's a simple yet flavorful combination of brown lentils, onions, and tomatoes, seasoned with cumin, salt, and pepper, all brought together with a good amount of oil.

This dish is a staple in Filipino homes, served as a hearty meal that brings family and friends together. The taste is savory and earthy, with the lentils providing a satisfying base, while the tomatoes add a touch of acidity, and the cumin offers a warm, aromatic note. It's a reflection of the straightforward and communal nature of Filipino home cooking.

Ingredients

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

Method

  1. Rinse 300 g of brown lentils under cold water until the water runs clear. This helps remove any dust or debris and ensures they cook evenly. Set them aside to drain while you prepare the other ingredients.
  2. Dice 1 onion and 2 tomatoes into small, even pieces. This ensures they cook at the same rate and blend well into the dish. Season the diced tomatoes with a pinch of fine sea salt and black pepper to start building layers of flavor.
  3. In a large pot, heat 2 tbsp of oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. This slow cooking releases the onion's natural sweetness, forming the base of the dish.
  4. Add the seasoned tomatoes to the pot along with 1 tsp of cumin. Stir well to combine and cook until the tomatoes have softened and released their juices, about 5 minutes. The cumin will become fragrant, adding depth to the dish.
  5. Add the rinsed lentils to the pot and stir to coat them in the tomato-onion mixture. Pour in enough water to cover the lentils by about an inch, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
  6. Cook the lentils until they are tender but not mushy, which should take about 20 to 25 minutes. Stir occasionally and check the water level, adding more if necessary to keep the lentils submerged. The lentils should be soft and creamy, with a slight bite in the center.
  7. Once the lentils are cooked to your desired texture, taste and adjust the seasoning with more fine sea salt and black pepper as needed. The dish should be well-seasoned, with a balance of savory and earthy flavors.
  8. Serve the Filipino Lentil Bowl warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy it as a comforting and hearty meal.
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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