This was yet another meal where everything just got thrown into the pot. When you have vegetables that need to be eaten, this is the best kind of meal to make. Make sure to have some spices on hand and it will usually taste delicious!
I’ve mentioned this before, but if you cook some quinoa and lentils ahead of time, it will inspire you to do something with them. There’s something psychological about seeing them in their dry form in the cupboard versus the cooked version. Lentils and quinoa both require double the amount of water and it’s nice to cook them with a little vegetable broth for extra flavour. Even though it won’t say it on the packaging, remember to always soak your grains and legumes. This will increase their absorption rates and remove the phytic acid which covers them.
Always try to add some raw vegetables to the side of your meal. A salad is a great way to get live enzymes that will give you energy. I added a few crumbles of blue cheese to give it some bite…
I find that a good way to increase your salad intake is to buy the pre-washed mixed greens. They are usually organic and contain lettuce varieties that are very nutrient dense. If I have to wash lettuce, I usually don’t eat as much so it helps to have the mixed greens. Try to cut up or grate some vegetables a few days in advance so that they’re ready to go.
Here’s the list of ingredients for the dish I made. I didn’t plan on making a stew but it turned out that way. If you want to make it more like a soup, just add more stock or water.
Broccoli Lentil Stew
3 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp ginger, minced
1 tbsp fennel seeds
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1/2 tsp coriander powder
1 onion, chopped
1 sweet potato, chopped
1 leek, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
1 1/2 cups broccoli (stems too), chopped
2 cups spinach, chopped
1 bunch fresh coriander (cilantro), stems and tops, chopped
1 cup cooked green lentils
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 can organic chickpeas
Add in the olive oil to a pan and cook the ginger, garlic and spices. Add the onions, sweet potato and leeks and continue to stir. Next, add the carrots and celery. Cook for about 5 more minutes. Add in the remaining ingredients and finish with sea salt and cracked pepper. Enjoy!
