Merriam-Webster Synonym-Spiced Lentil Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-05 · Updated 2026-08-05

A hearty lentil stew enriched with warm spices inspired by the playful and varied meanings of 'fun' from Merriam-Webster. This Mediterranean-inspired soup recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 55 minutes, pairs brown lentils, carrot, celery stalk for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 cup, rinsed brown lentils
• 1 large, diced carrot
• 1, diced celery stalk
• 1 medium, diced onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion, 1 diced carrot, and 1 diced celery stalk, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until softened and translucent.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp ground coriander, and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup rinsed brown lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, and 2 tbsp tomato paste to the pot. Stir well and bring to a boil.
4. Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30-35 minutes until lentils are tender and stew has thickened, stirring occasionally.
5. Step 5: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.