Meat-free Mondays: Lentil Bolognese that will leave you wanting thirds

Bolognese is a dish that is a favourite amongst many households. The beauty of the dish is that everyone makes it with their own unique flavour profile and ingredients.

Many people are moving to a meat free diet and of course bolognese contains meat. Until now. Those crazy enough to try the bolognese without the meat, come with me.

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Lentil Bolognese Recipe

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Recipe by Christine Burger Course: DinnerCuisine: GlobalDifficulty: Easy

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Total time

40

minutes

A lentil bolognese recipe that will warm your belly during the cold winter evenings.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups black lentils, raw

• 1 large carrot, diced

• 1/2 yellow pepper, diced

• 1 medium onion (red or white), diced

• 1 – 2 chillies for heat (OPTIONAL – I used Birds Eye chillies) , roughly chopped

• 500 ml beef stock

• 50 packet packet of tomato paste

• 1 tin tomato and onion mix

• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon cumin

• 1 tablespoon dried coriander

• 1 tbsp Thyme

• 1 1/2 tsp Soya Sauce

• Salt and Pepper to taste

• 2 tbsp Olive oil (for cooking)

Method

• Heat a large pan on medium to high heat. Once pan is to temperature; add your olive oil, onions, carrots, chillies and yellow pepper to the pan.
• Add cumin, coriander, thyme, smoked paprika and soya sauce. Saute’ until the onions become translucent. Generally around 5 minutes.
• Next, add the tomato paste and work into the onion mixture until evenly distributed. Allow to cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the 500ml of beef stock (please check that your pan is big enough – if not, then move everything into a large enough pot) and add the lentils. Cover and allow to cook for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• Remove lid from the pot/pan and add the tin of tomato onion mix. Add the contents slowly and to your liking. You don’t have to make use of the whole can.
• Add the sugar, salt and pepper and allow to cook together for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
• Serve with pasta of your choice, usually spaghetti or tagliatelle.

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