Lentil Stew

Everyone knows about my cupboard full of lentils, and my endless quest for new ways to use them.
And I love stew. It's such a comfort food, with crusty bread for dipping or dumplings.
So tah-dah! Hearty lentil stew that anyone can make.
This recipe is fantastic for being so very simple, always delicious and cheap to make.
Adding veggie sausages, like Linda McCartney, makes it extra special. And you can put extras like leeks, mushroom, swede, peas in or chop and change if there's a certain veg you don't like. it's nice and versatile.

Makes 4 generous portions.
All you need is a large pot for cooking and the following ingredients:

1 cup red split lentils
900ml vegetable stock
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
1 large white onion chopped
1 large potato peeled and chopped
2 carrots peeled and chopped
1 stick of celery chopped
2 cloves of garlic diced
1 tbsp dried basil
1 tbsp dried parsley
pepper for seasoning

Put all the ingredients in your pot and bring to a boil, then simmer for 45- 50 minutes with the lid on, and stirring occasionally, until your lentils are cooked and potato is soft.

Serve with some home made dumplings, or fresh baked crusty bread. Or if you're like my husband, a side of oven chips!