Smoky Lentil Stew With Leeks and Potatoes Recipe (2024)

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Cooking Notes

Vince

Good flavor combinations, but seriously, 3 different pots? This needs exactly one pot. Cook onions, add potatoes and lentils, and other ingredients, and done.

lynn

Did all in one pot. Added six carrots, one yellow pepper. Used a little less than two tablespoons of Smoked paprika (two not quite full spoons). Used can of roasted tomatoes. Used coconut vinegar instead of sherry vinegar. Used dried thyme. Used Aleppo pepper instead of cayenne. Started with 1/8 teaspoon and ended up sprinkling more. Two cloves of garlic. Started with leaks. Added garlic. Then carrots. Then can of tomatoes. Then potatoes. Then lentils. Instead of 8 cups of water, I used 4

TCB

Nice, very flavorful stew. A few things: 1) I like stewed onions. Why would I remove one? It's delicious. 2) I'm done with discarding the green part of leeks, especially in stews. I pay by the lb for these things, so why throw them out? Trim off the frayed parts, Wash them. Slice thinly, and include with the rest. They're delicious. 3) Why peel the potatoes? 4) The saffron. I had it, so I included it. It was lost in this dish. I'll omit it next time. And, there will be a next time.

Suzanne

What would be a good substitute for the saffron?

Mo

The different pots let you control the cooking of the potatoes - otherwise, it's trickier to get the right cook on the potatoes without making the lentils mush. And you have to saute the leeks and spices and tomatoes to bloom the flavors, so I DO think the three pans are justified. I used Yukon Golds, but next time I will try Russets, which will break apart in a more satisfying way. Go big with the paprika and saffron and DEFINITELY use your best olive oil to finish. A solid keeper. And vegan!

Nytasha

Also modified cooking order to minimize pots and pans. Added some sweet peppers to the leeks. Definitely double vinegar. Would probably reduce water and increase tomatoes next time. Added tomato paste and fish sauce to bump up the umami. Salt aggressively; the potatoes demand it. A fine recipe for riffing, but would not prepare as written.

Rosabird

I cooked onions and spices in oil first to release flavors, then added lentils and liquid, then potatoes, all in one pot.

Mardee

This looks absolutely delicious, but before I make it, I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good zesty fruity olive oil.

Carina

This was the perfect winter dinner! Repurposed the leftovers as such - stew into a 9x9 baking dish, covered with a sheet of store bought puff pastry (a staple in our freezer), brushed egg onto the pastry and baked in a 425 degree oven until golden and served with an arugula salad. The review from my house was this elevated an already delicious dish.

sli

Used one pot. 1/2 onion chopped 1 leek. Added spices, new potatoes (halved), 6 carrots and lentils, tomatoes. 6 c water. Substituted oregano for the bay leaf and chipotle powder instead of cayenne.Set the heat at medium low and headed out to the neighborhood Halloween parade. 45 min later it was ready and so good. This will be a keeper.

Ashley

Made this in the instant pot. Sautéed leeks, onions then spices and garlic, added everything then manual for 10 min. I think it would be better with broth than 8c water. I ended up adding some bouillon, salt, and tomato paste at the end (because I used water).

Marissa

We really loved this recipe as written. I was able to swing cooking it in the morning, so we let it sit all day before reheating in the evening. It was delicious, and I will make it many more times this winter- very warming and incredibly satisfying for a vegan dish! The chunky potatoes are an especially nice touch. Pay attention to your salt and pepper and taste along the way. And don’t skip the olive oil drizzle. A dollop of tangy dairy would also work very well here IMHO.

Kalpana

Made this many times, and used Instant Pot. Sauteed the onion, leeks, and garlic in olive oil, and then added the rest of the ingredients except for the paprika and the saffron. Pressure cooked in the Instant Pot for 12 minutes on high. Then added the paprika and saffron just before serving. Delicious!

Karen in Montreal

For that smokey spicy flavour, here it's easier to get/use some piment d'Alep, plus regular or Hungarian paprika.

Joel

great hearty meal with a salad and crusty bread.Followed recipe but paid attention to the notes: used 4 Cups water; doubled the sherry vinegar, generous with the garlic, left the onion in. I would use a little less potatoes next time . Enjoy

smoky lentil stew

Basically start with steps 3 and 4

Katiemcraepdx

Perfect as written, except I kicked up the cayenne a bit for my crew and added some chopped ham. Definitely will be on a regular rotation both with and without added meat.

Ed S

Terrific stew! A big hit with the family. I added some chopped carrots for a bit of sweetness and veggie chorizo for a meaty addition, while staying true to veggie intent.

DawnB

Honestly, I don't understand how so many delicious ingredients can add up to a bland, boring stew. I don't see any way to save this one. Skip it.

ck

2large leeks is enough; don’t need to add the onion too. Cooked in the soup pot instead of using 3 pots - sauté leeks, add water, lentils and other ingredients except the potato and cook 20 mins. Add potato.

Dish

I made it exactly as written, except I added a couple bites of well-browned sweet Italian sausage. Crazy delicious on a chilly wet night, especially with some nice fat toasty chunks of country bread to dip into it.

Holli

A wonderful winter soup!

pauline

Happily surprised by this tasty recipe. Not usually a lentil person but really liked this smoky, rich stew. Substituted leftover roasted Yukon gold potatoes, used a full can of tomatoes, and added a carrot and extra garlic.

Trudi

Do you think you could use Ruttabaga rather than potato?

bilfro

Has anyone tried this with daikon instead of potatoes?

Mags

I love this stew and have made it a few times and now love to add chicken sausage and crumble blue cheese. Delicious

peter franks

Good flavor combinations, but seriously, 3 different pots? This needs exactly one pot. Cook onions, add potatoes and lentils, and other ingredients, and done.Did all in one pot. Added six carrots, one yellow pepper. Used a little less than two tablespoons of Smoked paprika (two not quite full spoons). Used can of roasted tomatoes. Used coconut vinegar instead of sherry vinegar. Used dried thyme. Used Aleppo pepper instead of cayenne. Started with 1/8 teas

bsj40052

Gave it a try. Came out dryer than we thought. The paprika taste was strong, which we ended up mellowing using some sour cream. Didn't use, but definitely should use chorizo. We'll see how it does for lunch tomorrow.

susan

This surely would have been better using veg or chicken stock, but as written is merely good- hearty enough, but not one I will make again- there are just too many good lentil soups out there.

Julia

OMG this was good!! Halved the recipe and cooked the lentils until all the liquid was gone and had to add a half a can of water to the stew. Didn't matter because this was delicious. Like OMG this was delicious. I'm stuffed and I want to go back for more. When I make this again I'm going to cut the potatoes into chunks instead of big slices as that will make it easier to eat but this is a keeper. So so good.

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Smoky Lentil Stew With Leeks and Potatoes Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does my leek and potato soup taste bland? ›

The reasons are usually two: you didn't season your soup at all, worrying it might be too salty because of the leeks; or you added to much water for the stock.

How to stop leek and potato soup from going gloopy? ›

Potato-Leek Soup v2.

For an extra-smooth soup, press it through a chinois or a fine mesh strainer using the bottom of a ladle. Sure, it's the gluier than its pressed brother, but as I said, sometimes that really doesn't bother me.

Why is my potato leek soup gummy? ›

Potatoes are delicate in that they can be over mashed and over blended. This causes their starches to be released and turn into a gluey, gummy mess. Blend until just smooth, then stop.

Do lentils thicken stews? ›

You'll find that the lentils mostly breakdown and naturally thicken the soup. But what I like to do to get a really luscious creamy texture is to give the soup a quick whizz with a blender stick (or transfer a couple of cups to the blender) to puree SOME but not all the lentils.

What flavor do leeks add? ›

Leeks have a mildly sweet flavor that is reminiscent of other alliums, such as onions, shallots, garlic, and chives. They are often used the way onions are — as part of a base of flavors for soups, stews, and other long-cooking dishes. However, their more mild flavor means they can be enjoyed on their own as well.

What gives vegetable soup that depth of flavor? ›

The first is to caramelize the vegetables, either in your soup pot or in the oven, to sweeten them and condense their juices. Next, add plenty of aromatics to the pot — herbs, spices, garlic, onions and the like — and let everything simmer for a long time to blend the flavors.

What if leek and potato soup is too thick? ›

Reheat the soup to a gentle simmer (add some extra stock at this point if the soup is too thick for your liking), then pour into warmed bowls.

What is the best thickening agent for potato soup? ›

Combine cornstarch and a little bit of water—or the chicken stock from the soup—in a small bowl. With the soup simmering over medium-low heat, whisk in the slurry. The soup should start to thicken almost immediately.

How can I make bland potato soup taste better? ›

Adding an acid like vinegar or lemon juice and incorporating fresh herbs can also help add flavor to a potato soup. While you may not need to implement all of these strategies, it's good to keep them in the back of your mind for when you realize your next pot of soup needs a flavor boost.

Can you fix gluey potato soup? ›

It turns out, then, that contrary to internet opinion, it is possible to redeem your potato leek soup if somehow it becomes gluey. Ladle some into a freezer bag, freeze it flat, thaw it, and pour off the water.

Why is my leek and potato soup brown? ›

Season them before roasting to really bring out their flavor. If you season only at the end, your soup will just taste salty — not flavorful. Why has my leek and potato soup turned brown? Your leek and potato soup may turn brown if your potatoes have oxidized.

How to keep potato soup from getting gummy? ›

Sear or roast your potatoes to prevent gummy soup

Searing or roasting your potatoes does more than just add extra flavor to your soup. It can actually prevent your broth from becoming gluey.

Why do you add cornstarch to stew? ›

When a gravy, sauce, soup or stew recipe calls for flour, use half as much cornstarch to thicken. To thicken hot liquids, first mix cornstarch with a little cold water until smooth. Gradually stir into hot liquid until blended. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil and boil one minutes.

What are the best tasting lentils? ›

Black Beluga lentils have the most flavor, adding a rich, earthy taste and a firm texture that holds up well during cooking. Black lentils will be ready in 20–25 minutes; however, they will fall apart like their brown, green, and red partners once you cook them for too long.

Does butter thicken a stew? ›

Most stews use a thickening agent called a roux—a mixture of equal parts flour and a fat, usually butter.

How do you make potato soup not taste bland? ›

If a soup is tasting bland in the bowl, consider adding acid rather than salt. A squeeze of lemon or lime, or a dash of yogurt or sour cream can add brightness to the bowl.

Why does my soup taste flavorless? ›

Let it evaporate and cook longer.

If you find that your homemade or store-bought broth is thin and bland, you can concentrate its flavors by cooking it a little bit longer." Make sure to remove the lid or tilt it slightly to let the steam escape.

How do you perk up bland soup? ›

Perk up a Bland Soup With Simple Pantry Staples

Add a splash of vinegar (any kind!), or a squeeze of citrus. Chances are, you could use a little more salt. Go ahead—it's ok. Salt perks up flat flavors and helps balance out bitter-tasting ingredients.

How do you make soup not taste bland? ›

Herbs and sources add flavor, aroma, and intensity to the soup broth. You can pick fresh or dried herbs like basil for tomato-based soups or fresh parsley for clear broths. You may also add more spices like turmeric, ground ginger, ground paprika, or nutmeg for a touch of spice and color to your soup broth.

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