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Korean Lentil Bowl

Serves 4 to 6 Entree vegetarian

Korean Lentil Bowl

Korean Lentil Bowl is a dish born from the heart of Korean home cooking, where practicality meets flavor. This recipe reflects the everyday culinary wisdom passed down through generations, where ingredients are measured by intuition rather than precision. It's a humble yet nourishing dish, typically enjoyed at family meals where the table is always open for sharing. In its simplicity, it captures the essence of Korean communal dining.

The dish offers a comforting blend of tender brown lentils, softened onions, and juicy tomatoes, all brought together with a touch of cumin. Generous use of oil ensures each bite is rich and satisfying, while salt and pepper are adjusted by hand to perfect the balance. It’s a dish meant to be savored slowly, allowing the flavors to meld in a way that feels both familiar and heartwarming.

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 until the water runs clear. This removes any dust and ensures the lentils cook evenly. Set them aside to drain while you prepare the other ingredients.
  2. Dice 1 onion finely and chop 2 tomatoes into small pieces. This will help them cook down quickly and meld into the dish. Season the chopped tomatoes with a pinch of fine sea salt and black pepper to enhance their flavor.
  3. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tbsp of oil over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the diced onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and soft, about 5-7 minutes. This slow cooking allows the onion to release its sweetness.
  4. Add 1 tsp of cumin to the softened onions, stirring continuously for about 1 minute. The cumin should become fragrant, signaling that the spices are toasting and releasing their oils.
  5. Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook until they begin to break down and form a sauce-like consistency, about 3-5 minutes. The mixture should be slightly thickened and the tomatoes should have lost their raw edge.
  6. Add the rinsed lentils to the pan, stirring to coat them with the onion and tomato mixture. Pour in enough water to cover the lentils by about 2 cm, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
  7. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Let the lentils cook until they are tender but still hold their shape, which should take about 25-30 minutes. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
  8. Once the lentils are cooked, taste the dish and adjust the seasoning with more fine sea salt and black pepper as needed. The lentils should be flavorful and the liquid mostly absorbed, creating a cohesive dish.
  9. Serve the Korean Lentil Bowl warm, allowing everyone at the table to enjoy the communal experience typical of Korean home cooking.
Cover of Authentic Korean Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Korean Cuisine

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

Available soon on Amazon…

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