Moroccan-Spiced Beef and Lentil Stew
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbbeef stew meat
cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tspolive oil
- 1 mediumonion
diced, 1 ½ cups
- 3 mediumcarrots
diced ¼ inch, heaping 1 cup
- 3stalks celery
diced, ½ cup
- 6garlic cloves
minced, 2 tablespoons
- 1can diced tomatoes
- 3 clow-sodium beef broth
- 1 cdry red lentils
may sub green or brown lentils
- 1 ½ tspground turmeric
- 1 ½ tsppaprika
- ¾ tspground cumin
- ¾ tspground coriander
- ½ tspgarlic powder
- ½ tspground cinnamon
- ½ tspground ginger
- 1 tspfine salt
- ½ tspground allspice
- ¼ tspblack pepper
- 2bay leaves
- ⅓ cdried apricots
finely diced
- juice of ½ lemon
- ¼ cfresh parsley
chopped; plus more for garnish
- optional serving: whole wheat pita bread or naan
and dollops of plain greek yogurt or sour cream, cut into halves or quarters
Directions
- 1
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the skillet is hot, add the oil and swirl to coat. Add the beef and cook until browned, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes. Transfer the browned meat and pan juices to the slow cooker.
- 2
To the slow cooker, add the diced onion, carrots, celery, garlic, diced tomatoes, broth, dry lentils, turmeric, paprika, cumin, coriander, garlic powder, cinnamon, ginger, salt, allspice, and black pepper. Stir to combine all of the ingredients.
- 3
Add bay leaves and gently stir again.
- 4
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on the low setting for 7-9 hours** or until the lentils are tender.
- 5
Stir in the dried apricots, lemon juice, and parsley.
- 6
Ladle the stew into bowls. If desired, top servings with yogurt or sour cream, sprinkle with fresh parsley and cracked black pepper, and serve with pita bread or naan.
Moroccan-Spiced Beef and Lentil Stew
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About this Recipe
Craving a deeply satisfying and flavorful meal that nourishes both body and soul? This Moroccan-Spiced Beef and Lentil Stew delivers an incredible culinary journey right to your kitchen, offering comfort in every spoonful.
This recipe works by harnessing the aromatic power of traditional Moroccan spices to transform simple ingredients into a complex, robust stew. The combination of tender beef, hearty lentils, and warming spices creates a rich, layered flavor profile that feels both exotic and familiar. Plus, it's packed with goodness, boasting 7 grams of fiber and an impressive 30 grams of protein per serving.
Prepare your senses for a symphony of flavors and textures. You'll experience tender, bite-sized pieces of beef swimming in a thick, savory broth, complemented by soft, yielding lentils and aromatic vegetables. The warming spices like turmeric, paprika, cumin, and cinnamon infuse the stew with a captivating fragrance and a subtle heat, perfectly balanced by the sweet, tangy bursts of finely diced dried apricots and a finishing squeeze of fresh lemon. It's the kind of hearty dish that fills your home with inviting aromas and leaves you feeling utterly content.
Customization and Serving Ideas
Feel free to adapt this comforting stew to your pantry or preferences. You can easily swap the red lentils for green or brown lentils, which will hold their shape a bit more. For an added touch of richness and flavor, serve your stew with warm whole wheat pita bread or naan, perfect for soaking up every last drop of the savory broth. A dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream on top adds a creamy counterpoint that you'll absolutely love, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley provides a vibrant finish.
This robust and flavorful stew is ideal for a cozy family dinner on a cool evening or for meal prepping healthy lunches throughout the week. Its comforting warmth and nourishing ingredients make it a perfect centerpiece for any table.