🍲 30-MIN DINNER | ASIAN-STYLE LENTIL STEW WITH QUINOA 🍲

amy-goodrich (70)in #food • 5 years ago

Dinner can be on the table in less than 30 minutes from start to finish with this quick, easy, and delicious Asian lentil stew.

Eating yummy, healthy and 100% plant-based meals shouldn't be difficult or take up all your precious evening time. Though I love to spend time in the kitchen, especially since we have an outdoor kitchen now, running a bakery has forced me to make more of these quick and easy dinners.

ASIAN-STYLE LENTIL STEW WITH QUINOA 🍲

Though I live in Assia, I hardly eat any rice. Not only because rice has been found to contain small amounts of arsenic, I just don't like the taste. Furthermore, rice doesn't provide as many nutrients and proteins as other whole (pseudo) grains such as buckwheat, quinoa, amaranth, and millet.

For today's dish, I used quinoa. Buckwheat is my favorite, but we ran out of it and I have never seen it for sale here in Cambodia so I'll have to wait until we travel to stock up again.

Quinoa, however, is easy to find. It is gluten-free and high in protein (containing all nine essential amino acids our body needs). It is also high in other good-for-you plant nutrients such as fiber, magnesium, B vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin E and various beneficial antioxidants.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 2)

¾ cup onion, chopped
2 cup napa cabbage, chopped
2 clove of garlic, minced
1-inch fresh ginger, grated
½ cup red lentils
1 cup water
2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
1 tbsp sesame oil
Chili paste to taste
½ cup uncooked quinoa
1/3 cup spring onions, finely chopped
2-4 tbsp toasted sesame seed, I used black ones

DIRECTIONS

Heat the cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat, Saute the onion for 2-3 minutes. Then add garlic and ginger and cook for 1-2 minutes more.
Stir in napa cabbage and cook until it starts to soften.
Then add the lentils, water, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili paste. Cover and bring to a gentle simmer until the lentils are cooked and tender while most of the liquid is absorbed. This will take about 8 to 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the quinoa according to the instructions on the package.
When ready, divide stew over bowls. Top with spring onions and sesame seeds. Serve with quinoa on the side.