Looking for a hearty and delicious dish that’s perfect for any occasion? Look no further than this French Puy Lentil Ragout recipe! Packed with flavor, easy to make, and sure to impress your family and friends.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe?
- Great Flavors: The combination of earthy Puy lentils, aromatic herbs, and fresh vegetables creates a rich and satisfying dish.
- Quick Prep Time: With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Make a big batch of this ragout and enjoy it throughout the week for a healthy and delicious meal every time.
Ingredient Notes:
- Olive oil: Adds richness and depth to the dish.
- Garlic clove, onion, and carrot: The holy trinity of flavor in many recipes, these vegetables provide a solid base for the ragout.
- Tomato paste: Adds a touch of sweetness and acidity.
- Bay leaf and thyme: Infuse the dish with aromatic herbal notes.
- Puy lentils: Also known as French lentils, these small green lentils hold their shape well when cooked.
- Vegetable stock: Use homemade for the best flavor, or opt for low-sodium store-bought.
- Salt and black pepper: Season to taste.
- Parsley: Adds a fresh and vibrant finish to the dish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic, diced onion, and carrot. Cook until softened.
- Stir in tomato paste, bay leaf, and thyme. Cook for a few minutes until fragrant.
- Add Puy lentils and vegetable stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir in chopped parsley before serving.
Helpful Tips:
- For a richer flavor, add a splash of balsamic vinegar or red wine.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables in this ragout based on what you have on hand.
- This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had time to meld together.
Expert Tips for the Best Results:
- To enhance the texture of the lentils, soak them in water for a couple of hours before cooking.
- Use high-quality vegetable stock for a more flavorful ragout.
- Add a Parmesan rind while cooking for an extra umami boost.
Serving Suggestions:
Serve this French Puy Lentil Ragout with crusty bread for dipping, a side salad with a tangy vinaigrette, and a glass of red wine for a complete meal.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or stock to loosen the ragout if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I use regular brown lentils instead of Puy lentils? While you can substitute brown lentils, Puy lentils hold their shape better when cooked.
- Can I freeze this ragout? Yes, you can freeze this dish for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
- Is this recipe vegan-friendly? Yes, this French Puy Lentil Ragout is completely vegan.
Conclusion:
Give this French Puy Lentil Ragout recipe a try and discover a new favorite dish that’s easy to make, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Don’t forget to share your feedback and enjoy every spoonful of this flavorful ragout!
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French Puy Lentil Ragout Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 40 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main-course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This French Puy Lentil Ragout is a hearty and flavorful dish that combines nutritious Puy lentils with aromatic vegetables and herbs. It’s a perfect vegetarian option for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 1/2 onion, finely diced
- 1 large carrot, peeled and finely diced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf, preferably fresh otherwise dried
- 1 thyme sprig
- 1 cup Puy lentils (French lentils)
- 3 cups vegetable stock, preferably homemade else low sodium store bought
- 1/2 tsp salt (skip if using store bought stock)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Saute Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add garlic, onion, and carrot. Cook until softened.
- Add Ingredients: Stir in tomato paste, bay leaf, thyme, lentils, and vegetable stock. Season with salt and pepper.
- Cook Ragout: Simmer for about 25-30 minutes until lentils are tender.
- Finish and Serve: Remove bay leaf and thyme sprig. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to add other vegetables like celery or bell peppers for extra flavor.
- This ragout is delicious served over cooked grains like rice or quinoa.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
