Rustic Provinois Lentil and Vegetable Stew with Herbs
A hearty, medieval-inspired French lentil stew featuring root vegetables and fresh herbs, perfect for a comforting vegetarian meal. This french-inspired vegan (vegetarian) ready in about 60 minutes pairs green lentils, medium, diced carrots, large, sliced leek for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 green lentils
- 2 medium, diced carrots
- 1 large, sliced leek
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup green lentils thoroughly and set aside. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Step 2: Add 2 diced carrots, 1 sliced leek, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 6 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme. Cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavors.
- Step 4: Add the rinsed lentils, 4 cups vegetable broth, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 35-40 minutes until lentils are tender and stew has thickened.
- Step 6: Remove bay leaf, adjust seasoning if needed, and serve the rustic lentil stew warm with crusty bread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Provinois Lentil and Vegetable Stew with Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Rustic Provinois Lentil and Vegetable Stew with Herbs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep green lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Provinois Lentil and Vegetable Stew with Herbs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Rustic Provinois Lentil and Vegetable Stew with Herbs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Rustic Provinois Lentil and Vegetable Stew with Herbs vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
