Golden Sunset Lentil & Fennel Stew

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 small Yellow onion
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1 tbsp Fresh ginger
• 1 small Fennel bulb
• 1 medium Carrot
• 1 small Sweet potato
• 0.5 Red bell pepper
• 2 tbsp No-salt-added tomato paste
• 1 tsp Ground turmeric
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• 0.5 tsp Ground coriander
• 0.5 tsp Ground cumin
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 4 Dried shiitake mushrooms
• 0.5 cup Red lentils
• 2 cups Water
• 2 cups Fresh spinach
• 0.5 Lemon 0.5 Lemon
• 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp Fresh dill
• 1 tbsp Toasted pumpkin seeds

Instructions

1. Rehydrate dried shiitake mushrooms: Place mushrooms in a small bowl, cover with 1 cup hot water, and let soak for 15-20 minutes until softened. Remove mushrooms, squeeze out excess liquid, slice, and set aside. Carefully reserve the soaking liquid.
2. Heat olive oil in a medium pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
3. Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and diced fennel bulb to the pot. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
4. Stir in no-salt-added tomato paste, ground turmeric, smoked paprika, ground coriander, ground cumin, and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the spices and deepen their flavor.
5. Add diced carrots, sweet potato, red bell pepper, sliced rehydrated shiitake mushrooms, and rinsed red lentils to the pot. Stir to combine all ingredients.
6. Pour in 2 cups of fresh water and the reserved shiitake mushroom soaking liquid (straining it first if there's any sediment). Bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
7. Stir in the fresh spinach until it has wilted completely. Remove the pot from the heat.
8. Stir in the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, chopped cilantro, and chopped dill (if using). Taste and adjust seasonings if desired (no salt needed, rely on herbs and lemon for brightness).
9. Ladle the Golden Sunset Lentil & Fennel Stew into bowls. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro, reserved fennel fronds, and toasted pumpkin seeds if desired. Serve immediately.

Nutrition (per serving)