Chichoumeille - A French Delight

Ingredients

• 1 cup (200g) green lentils 1 cup (200g) green lentils
• 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 6g
• Protein: 12g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the lentils under cold water and drain.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
3. 3.
   Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are tender.
4. 4.
   Stir in the minced garlic, bay leaves, dried thyme, and smoked paprika. Cook for another minute.
5. 5.
   Add the lentils and vegetable broth to the pot. Bring to a boil.
6. 6.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for about 30-40 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
7. 7.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   Remove the bay leaves before serving.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lentils — Rinse the lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove any debris or impurities.
• Bay leaves — Remember to remove the bay leaves before serving, as they are not meant to be eaten.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smoky flavor, you can use smoked sea salt instead of regular salt.
• Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini for extra variety.
• Serve the Chichoumeille with a crusty baguette to soak up the delicious broth.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to develop further.

Serving advice

Serve the Chichoumeille in deep bowls, garnished with fresh parsley. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, drizzle a little olive oil on top of the stew and sprinkle some additional fresh herbs.