Spicy Harissa Lentils
Spicy harissa lentils are an incredibly flavorful vegan meal that you can whip up on a hurried weeknight. Lentils and onions combine with a fantastic garlic tahini sauce to fill bellies fast.
Ingredients
For the spicy harissa lentils
- 1 cup red lentils (no soaking required)
- 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons quality store-bought or homemade unsalted vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon store-bought or homemade harissa paste, plus more to taste
- Fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the caramelized onions
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
- Coarsely ground black pepper
- 12 fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped
For the garlicky tahini sauce
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 large cloves garlic, crushed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 to 4 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Fine sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Make the spicy harissa lentils
- In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring the lentils and broth to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer, adding more water if necessary, until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. There should be almost no cooking liquid left when the lentils are done.
- Add the olive oil and harissa, stir, and season to taste with salt, pepper, and, if desired, more harissa.
Make the caramelized onions
- Meanwhile, in a medium skillet over medium heat, warm the oil. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden brown, about 12 minutes. Add the sugar, stir, and cook for 1 minute more.
- Transfer the onions to a medium bowl and wipe out the skillet.
Make the garlicky tahini sauce
- In the same skillet over medium heat, heat the oil and cook the garlic until golden, 1 1/2 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool for 2 minutes.
- Add the tahini and 2 teaspoons of the lemon juice and whisk until combined.
- Season to taste with salt, pepper, and, if desired, more lemon juice.
Assemble the dish
- Divvy the lentils among bowls and drizzle with the tahini sauce and a little harissa. Sprinkle with the onions, pepper, and parsley.
Nutrition
Serving: 1portion | Calories: 761kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 42g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 28g | Sodium: 998mg | Fiber: 30g | Sugar: 10g