West African-Style Peppery Lentil Stew

Ingredients

• 1 cup dry Brown or green lentils (dry)
• 1 medium Onion
• 1 medium Bell pepper
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 1 tbsp Fresh ginger
• 1.5 tbsp Vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp West African-style pepper sauce (or spicy pepper sauce)
• 1 tbsp Tomato paste
• 1 tsp Ground cumin
• 0.5 tsp Smoked paprika (optional)(optional)
• 3 cups Vegetable broth or water
• 0.5 tsp Salt
• 0.25 tsp Black pepper
• 1 tbsp Lime juice

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep (15 minutes): Rinse the lentils. Dice the onion and bell pepper. Mince the garlic and grate the ginger.

2. 2

   Cook (35 minutes): In a pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Sauté onion and bell pepper for 5–7 minutes until softened.

3. 3

   Add garlic and ginger and cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Stir in pepper sauce, tomato paste, cumin, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute.

4. 4

   Add lentils and broth (or water). Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook for 25–28 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender.

5. 5

   Finish: Stir in lime juice and taste for seasoning. Simmer 1–2 minutes more, then serve.