• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Lucy Loves

A charming food blog with recipes and other ramblings which may or may not be of interest to you

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About Lucy
  • Recipes
    • Recipe A-Z
  • Contact Lucy Loves
  • Lucy Loves Press Page
  • My Privacy and Cookies Policy
    • Cookie Policy
  • Reviews and That

January 8, 2018 By Lucy 2 Comments

A Heart Warming Lentil Chilli

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Lentil Chilli Recipe

I feel I am often left lacking where vegetarians and vegans are concerned. I am a committed eater of meat and dairy produce, not on an enormous scale, but, as a family, we don’t often embrace meat free meals. With money being tight in January and trousers being even tighter, I have been perusing old favourite cookery books and Pinterest for inspiration. A vegetarian diet does often work out being better value, plus, it’s a good idea to eat less meat so it is with great excitement I discovered this Lentil Chilli recipe.

I know Lentil Chilli doesn’t initially sound desperately exciting, however, bear with me here. Whenever I think of vegetarian  dishes, I think kerfuffle. All that chopping of vegetables, peeling, blah blah, I’ve lost interest before I’ve even started. However, this Lentil Chilli is so simple, light on preparation but huge on taste; I am genuinely impressed simplicity could taste so good. The base of onions, garlic, red peppers and fresh red chilli is a well trodden, but delicious path. The addition of brown lentils, which are very reasonably priced and hold their shape well, adds depth, flavour and tasty sustenance. Simply simmer for 30 minutes and this frugal but tempting supper is ready to be topped to your taste. Adorn with such vegan delights as avocado and some fresh chilli and chopped tomatoes or go with sour cream and grated cheese if you like. Either way, this makes a brilliant family supper and dare I say it, George ate and enjoyed it, albeit it picked out some of the peppers *classic George*. A huge thank you to Little Broken for the introduction to this dish.

I have never really been a fan of cooking vegetarian versions of traditionally meat based dishes, they always seem slightly lacking. This Lentil Chilli however, is a stand alone dish. It has a huge personality of it’s own and I will be making my meat free Monday’s on any bloody day I want, from here on in.

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Who knew such greatness could come from so little. And for so little, this bag of lentils, which you only need half of for this recipe, only cost £1.40, making this dish good for your purse as well as you paunch.

Make a start on this by taking a large, deep and lidded frying pan. Heat the tablespoon of oil over a medium heat and add the chopped onion and red pepper.

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Please marvel at my lovely Lucy Loves spoon my thoughtful Mother got me for Christmas, this is it’s first outing, it won’t look this untarnished for long.

Fry this colourful mix for 8 to 10 minutes or until the mixture has softened. Next throw in the chopped garlic, fresh chilli, bay leaves and dried chilli flakes then stir well. Cook for another couple of minutes.

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Now it’s time for those frugal favourites, the brown lentils. The brown variety holds it shape better than red or green, so these are best if you have them. Stir these into the mix then pour in the tin of tomatoes, juice and all.

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Stir this all together before adding the vegetable stock to keep it all vegetarian then bring up to the simmer. Place the lid half on and cook for 30 to 35 minutes or until the lentils are soft and the chilli is smelling divine.

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Ta-dah.

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Remove the bay leaves, season generously with salt and pepper, stir through the fresh coriander and then your chilli is ready to adorn however you please.

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

This is just wonderful on it’s own, straight from the pan, but you can dress it up or down as you wish. I went sour cream and avocado, not quite vegan, but at least I swerved the cheese, and a little more chopped coriander. Not very modest, I know, but this is so good, I ate far too much of it.

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Lentil-chilli-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

I do love a lentil and I have to say they are my go-to ingredient when cooking vegetarian dishes. They are such good value, they potentially lower cholesterol and if you are looking to reduce your carb intake, swerve the rice with this and tuck right into this Lentil Chilli for a filling, warming supper.

Lucy x

Lentil Chilli Recipe

Serves 4, with rice

You will not need any challenging equipment

1 tablespoon oil

1 onion, peeled and finely-ish chopped

1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 red chilli, finely chopped, de-seed if you prefer less heat

1 generous pinch dried chilli flakes

2 bay leaves, fresh or dried

250g brown lentils

1 x 400g tin chopped tomatoes, with juice

900ml vegetable stock

Half teaspoon caster sugar

Salt and pepper, to taste

Half a bunch chopped fresh coriander, plus a little extra to garnish

To serve cooked rice, sliced avocado, sour cream, fresh chilli, grated cheese, salsa, you decide

Take a large, deep frying pan with a lid and add a generous tablespoon of oil. Heat over a medium flame and add the chopped onion and the red pepper. Cook for around 8 to 10 minutes or until softened. Next, add the garlic, chopped fresh red chilli, bay leaves and the dried chilli flakes. Cook for another minute or 2 then stir in the lentils and mix well.

Next, pour in the tinned tomatoes, stock and the sugar to reduce acidity.  Stir well and bring up to the simmer. Don’t season at this stage as the salt can make the lentils tough. Put the lid on at a slight angle, allowing a touch of steam to escape and cook for around 30 to 35 minutes or until the lentils are soft and cooked through.

When the lentils are cooked through, remove the bay leaves then stir through the fresh coriander, season generously with salt and pepper then serve piping hot. Accompany with rice, sour cream, avocado, fresh chilli, grated cheese or salsa or any of your favourite bits and bobs.

Any leftovers will freeze well or keep in the fridge for around 3 days.

SaveSave

SaveSave

print

Filed Under: Dairy Free, Family Meals, Frugal, Healthy Option, Main courses, Recipes, Vegetarian, Winter




Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Victoria White says

    January 9, 2019 at 6:03 pm

    Thanks so much for putting this on for jan …. it’s on the hob now and looking forward to Tikka Roast Chicken on Sunday. LucyLoves is my New Year resolution!

    Reply
    • Lucy says

      January 10, 2019 at 9:32 am

      Thanks so much lovely Victoria! So glad you like the recipes, keep me posted. Lucy xx

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

ABOUT LUCY

I am Lucy. A barely 50 year old with roles a-plenty. Mum to two boys and a dog, wife, PA and now blogger. We live in the suburbs of SW London and pretty much constantly have our noses in the trough. Read More…

Have a little look at these

strawberry-syrup-lucyloves-foodblog

Strawberry Syrup for all ages

Pulled-pork-lucyloves-foodblog

A Lovely Big Pulled Pork Recipe

lamb-biriyani-balls-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Lamb Biriyani Balls for National Curry Week

Foot-long-sausage-roll-recipe-lucyloves-foodblog

Picnic Time Foot Long Sausage Rolls

lucyck

lucyck
If funds are low and you’re a hoarder of jam jar If funds are low and you’re a hoarder of jam jars like myself these Victoria Sponge Cake Jars are the Mother’s Day gift for you 💖 
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #mothersday #cakejars #victoriasponge #homemadegifts #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
My Roasted Gnocchi with Sausage is the bloody tast My Roasted Gnocchi with Sausage is the bloody tasty product of a fruitful fridge forage and a total lethargy for cooking mid week meals 
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #traybake #sausages #gnocchi #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #frugalfood
These Mini Dutch Baby Pancakes *mine were fat babi These Mini Dutch Baby Pancakes *mine were fat babies can I just say* will make your Shrove Tuesday a slaving over a hot stove free zone 🥞
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #pancakes #shrovetuesday #pancakeday #dutchbabies #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
This Salted Caramel Espresso Martini may be the be This Salted Caramel Espresso Martini may be the best after dinner cocktail ever *and means you don’t have to make a pud*❤️
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #cocktails #friday #espressomartini #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instadrink #cocktails #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #drinkspotting #drink #delicious #recipetesting #valentines
Romance isn’t dead in our house, it’s just nap Romance isn’t dead in our house, it’s just napping. But if I was trying to woo someone it would certainly be with these Cheese and Ham Dough Balls. Balls are very romantic😬 
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #love #foodoflove #hamandcheese #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking
My Honey Roasted Roots with Halloumi isn’t reall My Honey Roasted Roots with Halloumi isn’t really a recipe, more a collection of fridge remnants fashioned into something really rather delicious 
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #frugal  #fridgeforage #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #halloumi #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
Not my usual Friday cocktail but if you’re feeli Not my usual Friday cocktail but if you’re feeling a bit off form this Hot Lemon, Honey and Ginger is going to soothe, warm and, if you add a drop of whisky, lift your spirits 🥃
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #whisky #lemon #honey #remedy #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instadrink #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #drinkspotting #drink #delicious #recipetesting
Given the price of heating the house, you may want Given the price of heating the house, you may want to make my Chicken with Barley and chicken crackling to warm you up. Recipe can be found via the link in my profile, as always ❤️
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #winterwarmer #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #chicken
January is like whole month of Mondays 🙄. Cheer January is like whole month of Mondays 🙄. Cheer yourself up with a massive dollop of Panettone Bread and Butter Pudding 
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #january #panettone #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
Everything crossed for 2023. Happy New Year to you Everything crossed for 2023. Happy New Year to you and yours for later. Lots of love ❤️ 
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #grahamandgreen #filmboard #happynewyear #2023 #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
This elegant and simple Beetroot Marinated Salmon This elegant and simple Beetroot Marinated Salmon means you can, at least, tick one bloody thing off your list this week 🎄
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #christmasfood #salmon #christmasweek #devourpower #beetroot #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
Boozy, soft and simple. This Eggnog Panna Cotta as Boozy, soft and simple. This Eggnog Panna Cotta as got me written all over it 🎉
.
.
.
.
.
#lucyloves #foodblogger #instablogger #instablog #britainsbesthomecooks_ #foodie #foodphotography #foodpics #frommytable #fromscratch #christmas #festivefood #eggnog #devourpower #huffposttaste #comfortfood #food52 #recipes #instafood #f52community #instafoodblog #instafoodie #london #foodspotting #eat #delicious #recipetesting #homecooking #homecook
Load More… Follow on Instagram

Footer

ABOUT LUCY

I am Lucy. A barely 50 year old with roles a-plenty. Mum to two boys and a dog, wife, PA and now blogger. We live in the suburbs of SW London and pretty much constantly have our noses in the trough. Read More…

stay connected

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Sign up here for the Lucy Loves monthly newsletter






 

All copy and images copyright Lucy Loves unless otherwise indicated.

This website uses cookies
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Cookies Reject Cookies Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT