South African · beginner
South African Spiced Lentil And Squash Stew
A wholesome meat-free South African home stew featuring tender butternut squash and brown lentils infused with cumin and coriander.
- PREP TIME
- 15 min
- COOK TIME
- 30 min
- SERVES
- 4
Good things
start in the kitchen.
LET’S MAKE IT
Step by step
- 01
Heat olive oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat.
- 02
Add diced red onion and cook for 4 minutes until softened.
- 03
Stir in minced garlic, ground coriander, and ground cumin, frying for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 04
Add cubed butternut squash, rinsed brown lentils, and vegetable broth to the pot.
- 05
Bring contents to a boil, then lower heat to medium-low and cover tightly.
- 06
Simmer for 25 minutes until lentils are soft and squash is fork-tender, then finish with fresh lemon juice.
A LITTLE KITCHEN KNOW-HOW
Simmering Legumes
Cooking dried pulses slowly in seasoned broth ensures even tenderness without splitting the skins.
Notes from the kitchen
- Brown lentils maintain their structure well during simmer cooking without turning mushy.
- Adjust broth amount toward the end of cooking if a thinner soup-like consistency is preferred.
- Original home-cooking adaptation inspired by South African; regional versions vary.
- Use halal-certified meat, poultry, stock, sauces, cheese and other processed ingredients. Check labels and avoid cross-contamination. Recipe screening is not halal certification.