Cajun Lentil Stew

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3/4 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup brown lentils
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomatoes
• 1/3 cup dry red wine
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper (to taste)
• 2 cups chopped zucchini

Recipe

• 1 in a 3-quart saucepan, saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender.
• 2 add water and bay leaf; bring to a boil.
• 3 stir in lentils and return to a boil.
• 4 reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• 5 stir in tomatoes, breaking them up; add wine, tomato paste, sugar, basil, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper.
• 6 bring stew to a boil; then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes; add zucchini and simmer 15 minutes more.
• 7 discard bay leaf before serving.
• 8 serve over grilled slices of polenta or steamed brown rice, if desired.