ONE-POT LENTILS AND VEGETABLES

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1½ cups green or brown lentils 1 medium zucchini (optional) 1 large rib celery 1 medium carrot 1 medium yellow onion 1 large russet potato One 800g can whole tomatoes, preferably no-salt-added

2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 1 tsp ground coriander 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground turmeric ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground cayenne pepper (optional) 2½ cups water Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper 6 stems parsley

1 lime, for serving

METHOD

PLACE the lentils in a bowl and cover with water; let sit while you prep and start to cook the vegetables.

Cut the zucchini, if using, and the celery into 1cm dice. Scrub the carrot and peel the onion, then cut into same-size dice as the celery.

Peel the potato and cut into bite-size chunks. Pour the can of tomatoes into a bowl (with the juice), then coarsely chop in the bowl.

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, stir in the zucchini, celery, carrot, onion and potato. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring a few times, until the onion has softened.

Drain the lentils, then add to the pot, along with the ground spices and cayenne, if using.

Pour in the tomatoes and their juices and the 2½ cups of water, plus a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Once the mixture comes to a boil, cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Reduce the heat to medium-low, cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring a few times, until all the vegetables are tender. Taste, and adjust the salt and/or pepper as needed. While the stew cooks, finely chop the parsley leaves. Cut the lime into wedges. Top each portion with parsley and serve hot, with lime wedges. | The Washington Post