Vegetable stew
A Mediterranean one-pot stew with peppers, courgettes, lentils, sweet smoked paprika and thyme. This veggie stew is perfect for cold winter nights
Method
Heat the olive or rapeseed oil in a large, lidded, heavy-based pan over a medium heat. Lower the heat slightly then add the onion, cooking gently and stirring occasionally, for 5-10 mins until softened.
Stir in the garlic cloves, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried thyme, carrots, celery sticks, red and yellow peppers, and cook for 5 mins.
Tip in the tomatoes along with the vegetable stock, courgettes and thyme sprigs. Give it a good stir, cover, and cook for 20-25 mins.
Remove the thyme sprigs and discard. Stir in the cooked lentils and bring back to a simmer for 5 mins until warmed through. Serve with wild and white basmati rice, mash or quinoa.