Love from the Kitchen – Jamaican Lentil Stew

Jamaican Lentil Stew

Several times this year, I was asked what I, as a vegetarian, was making for Thanksgiving.  Yes, there is Thanksgiving beyond turkey and stuffing!  I incorporated the festive flavors and colors of sweet potatoes and pumpkin in this flavorful comfort food.  This recipe is adapted from this one here.

Ingredients

• 1 medium onion, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, pressed
• 1 inch piece (1-2 teaspoons) ginger root, grated
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1-2 teaspoon ground cumin (adjust according to taste)
• 1 (13 ounce) can coconut milk
• 1 liter (4 cups) vegetable stock
• 4 ounces (1 cup) split red lentils, washed and drained
• 1 small sweet potato, chopped
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree

Directions

1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan, add the onion and saute until transparent.
2. Add the garlic and ginger and sauté another 2 minutes until fragrant; lower heat and stir constantly to avoid burning.
3. Add the spices and sauté for a minute more.
4. Stir in the coconut milk, stock, lentils, sweet potato and pumpkin puree.
5. Simmer uncovered over medium – low heat for 40 – 50 minutes or until sweet potato is soft and almost melting into the stew. Be sure to stir occasionally.
6. NOTE: The stew has a creamy texture and is thick with lentils, sweet potato and pumpkin that melt into a delectable base. If you prefer a lighter soup then add more stock or coconut milk to thin the base.
7. Great served with bread.

Thanks and Giving

Wow, I can’t believe it is November already!  Where has the year gone?  Halloween is over – the rush of kids at the door is done and the candy is (mostly) out of the house.  I am now turning my attention to Thanksgiving.

I love this time of year!  The season is changing (perhaps a little too fast with the early snow!) and I am starting to settle in for the colder, darker months, even if only in my heart since our schedule remains full.  This is also the time when the anticipation begins for me of the holiday season – a time of family, friends, food, and fun.  Sure, it brings a measure of stress with it, but the wonder and excitement override that.

Snow on our neighbor's maple tree on Oct 28, 2011

This year, though, I don’t want November to be simply the runway for the holidays.  I want to live intentionally this month, leading up to Thanksgiving, whose name encapsulates how I want to live – with thanks and giving.

So often, I race through life, rarely pausing long enough to notice the many blessings in my life, much less thank God, the One responsible for them.  In the same way, I’m often too rushed or preoccupied with my own life to notice those around me, be they strangers or loved ones.

My goals this month are to find at least one thing each day to be thankful for, and to find a way of giving to someone, however small.  For the latter, I’m joining the 30 Day Giving Challenge, a group of people encouraging each other to consciously give each day of November.

What about you?  Will you join me in thanks and/or giving this November?