I’m always on the lookout for new gluten-free, vegetarian friendly recipes. So, when I came across this Slow Cooker Lentil and Veggie Stew, I had to try it. Stews are typically viewed as a winter food, but this recipe is so good, I could eat it any time of the year. It’s hearty and filling enough to be a winter warmer, but the vegetables keep things feeling light for those spring and summer days. It’s a unique, meatless stew that’s super filling because it’s full of plant-based protein!
Lentils make a perfect meat replacement for vegetarian soups and stews. Gram for gram, they have more protein than beef and they’re significantly less expensive, too! When cooked, they break down and create a crumbly texture (just like ground beef), which is why we use them a lot in vegetarian and vegan “meatloaf” recipes. They’re also high in fiber, so you’ll get 11 grams of protein and fiber for every serving of this tasty Slow Cooker Lentil and Veggie Stew!
Soup versus Stew
At the end of the recipe, we give you the option to adjust the liquid for more or less thickness. If you follow the recipe exactly as its stated, it will turn into a very thick, hearty stew. That’s just how we like our Slow Cooker Lentil and Veggie Stew, so we think it’s perfect! But, some people prefer more or less liquid, so we want to clear one thing up.
What’s the difference between a soup and a stew? Well, they’re both a combination of vegetables, fish, or meats cooked in a flavorful liquid. The major difference is that stews generally contain less liquid than soups. In a stew, the solid parts of the meal (the chunky vegetables and meats, if any) are the focus, whereas the broth is generally the focus of a soup.
We consider this recipe a stew because the lentils soak up most of the liquid as they cook. That creates a thick and chunky consistency, which we find perfectly hearty and warming. Sometimes in the summertime, we like our stew thinner, though. If you tend to prefer more liquid in your soup, feel free to reduce the lentils to 3/4 cup or 1/2 cup, or add additional tomato juice or vegetable broth.
Looking for other stew recipes? Check out our Slow Cooker Rosemary Lentil Stew. Or, if you love the idea of simple slow cooker dinner prep, try our Easy Tomato and Basil Slow Cooker Stew.
RECIPE SIGNUP: If you’re interested in receiving the newest and best Slow Cooker recipes via email from SkinnyMs., signup here: eNewsletter Signup.
Yields: 8 servings | Serving size: 1 1/2 cups | Calories: 221 | Total Fat: 2 g | Saturated Fats: 0 g | Trans Fats: 0 g | Cholesterol: 0 mg | Sodium: 312 mg | Carbohydrates: 42 g | Dietary fiber: 11 g | Sugars: 7 g | Protein: 11 g | SmartPoints (Freestyle): 2 |
Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen or fresh whole kernel corn
- 1 large red potato, cut into 1” cubes
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 1/2 cup diced sweet onion
- 2 stalks celery, sliced into 1/2” pieces
- 1 cup (fresh or frozen) green beans, broken into 1” pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Kosher or sea salt to taste
- 1 1/2 cups tomato juice, low sodium (optional V-8 Juice low-sodium)
- 3 cups vegetable broth, low sodium (optional chicken broth)
- 1 cup (dry) lentils
Instructions
- Add all of the above ingredients, except lentils, to the slow cooker, stir to combine. Cover and cook on low 8 to 10 hours. Add lentils the last hour of cooking time. Feel free to add or substitute your favorite vegetables.
- Tip: Adjust the liquid for less or more thickness. First, try adding 1 cup each tomato juice and 1 cup vegetable broth. Remember, the slow cooker does not allow for much evaporation, so the amount of liquid you add initially will be about the same toward the end of the cooking cycle. It's easier to add liquid than to remove it. We like ours fairly juicy so we add the full amount and sometimes even more.
- Minimum slow cooker size 4 quarts.
Don’t miss out on the latest and greatest from Skinny Ms… Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter. You can also follow us on our Facebook page or Pinterest for tasty recipes, clean eating tips, and healthy lifestyle resources.
For more delicious and nutritious recipes from SkinnyMs., check out our SkinnyMs. Recipe Collection of 101 Fan Favorites.
Do you have a favorite SkinnyMs. recipe? We’d love to hear about it. Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
The post Slow Cooker Lentil & Veggie Stew appeared first on Skinny Ms..
source https://skinnyms.com/slow-cooker-lentil-veggie-stew/
No comments:
Post a Comment