French Puy Lentil Ragout Recipe
A hearty and flavorful French Puy Lentil Ragout made with tender Puy lentils, aromatic herbs, and fresh vegetables simmered to perfection in a savory vegetable stock. This rustic ragout is perfect as a comforting main dish or a side, offering a deliciously wholesome and protein-rich meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 1/2 onion, finely diced
- 1 large carrot, peeled and finely diced
- 1 bay leaf, preferably fresh otherwise dried
- 1 thyme sprig
- 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped
Other Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup Puy lentils (French lentils)
- 3 cups vegetable stock, preferably homemade else low sodium store bought
- 1/2 tsp salt (skip if using store bought stock)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely minced garlic, diced onion, and diced carrot. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften and the onion becomes translucent, releasing their fragrant aromas.
- Add tomato paste and herbs: Stir in the tomato paste, cooking for 1-2 minutes to deepen its flavor. Then add the bay leaf and thyme sprig, allowing the herbs to infuse the base mixture with their earthy, aromatic notes.
- Incorporate lentils and stock: Add the Puy lentils to the saucepan and pour in the vegetable stock. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Season with salt if using homemade stock and black pepper.
- Simmer the ragout: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes until the lentils are tender but not mushy and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Final seasoning and garnish: Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprig from the ragout. Adjust seasoning as desired. Stir in the chopped parsley just before serving to add a fresh, vibrant finish to the dish.
Notes
- Use Puy lentils specifically for their peppery flavor and firm texture that holds up well during cooking.
- If using store-bought stock, opt for a low sodium variety to control salt levels in the dish.
- This ragout pairs well with crusty bread, rice, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- For a non-vegetarian version, replacing vegetable stock with chicken stock can add extra depth of flavor.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and may thicken; add a splash of stock or water when reheating.
Keywords: French lentil ragout, Puy lentils recipe, vegetarian ragout, French cuisine, healthy lentil stew
Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/french-puy-lentil-ragout-recipe/