Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

VietnameseAuthentic Cuisine

Vietnamese Lentil Pot 3

Serves 4 to 6 Soup vegetarian, Soups

Vietnamese Lentil Pot 3

Vietnamese Lentil Pot 3 is a comforting staple at home tables across Vietnam, capturing the essence of everyday family cooking. This dish reflects the unpretentious and hearty nature of Vietnamese home meals, where ingredients are measured by intuition rather than precision, and shared generously among family members. It's a dish that embodies the simplicity and warmth of Vietnamese culinary traditions, made with love and enjoyed without ceremony.

Expect a bowl brimming with tender lentils, infused with the earthy warmth of cumin and the subtle sweetness of sautéed onions. The addition of lemon juice brightens the flavors, offering a refreshing contrast to the deep, savory notes. This dish is seasoned with care, adjusting salt and pepper to taste, ensuring every spoonful is perfectly balanced and satisfying.

Ingredients

  • 300 gred lentils
  • 1onion — chopped
  • 2 clovesgarlic
  • 1 tspcumin
  • 1.5 Lwater
  • 1 tbspolive oil
  • 1lemon — juiced
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Begin by finely dicing 1 onion and mincing 2 cloves of garlic. In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot, stirring occasionally until the onion becomes translucent and the garlic is fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to let them brown, as this could add a bitter taste to the dish.
  2. Once the aromatics are softened, add 1 teaspoon of cumin to the pot. Stir continuously for about 1 minute until the cumin releases its aroma, enhancing the base flavor of the dish.
  3. Rinse 300 g of red lentils under cold water until the water runs clear. Add the rinsed lentils to the pot, stirring them into the aromatic base to coat them evenly with the oil and spices.
  4. Pour in 1.5 L of water, stirring to combine all ingredients. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a simmer. Cover the pot partially with a lid, allowing steam to escape. Let the lentils simmer, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and have absorbed most of the liquid, resulting in a creamy texture. This should take about 20-25 minutes.
  5. Once the lentils have reached the desired texture, season the pot with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed.
  6. Cut 1 lemon in half and squeeze the juice into the pot, being careful to catch any seeds. Stir the lemon juice into the lentils, which will brighten the flavors and add a fresh, tangy note.
  7. Before serving, taste the lentil pot again and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the Vietnamese Lentil Pot 3 warm, allowing the flavors to meld together, and enjoy it as a comforting, shared meal.
Cover of Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine

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

Available soon on Amazon…

Explore Vietnamese cuisine