Vegan Picadillo
This vegan picadillo is made with spiced lentils and walnuts simmered up with juicy tomatoes, bell peppers, sweet raisins and pimento-stuffed green olives. Serve over rice for a comforting, delicious and healthy meal!
Servings: 6
Calories: 305kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried brown lentils
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch cloves
- 1 (14 ounce/400 gram) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 ounce/236 ml) can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ⅔ cup pimento-stuffed green olives
- ½ cup raisins
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh cilantro, for serving
- Lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Place the lentils into a small saucepan and cover them with water. Place the pot over high heat and bring the water to a boil.
- Lower the heat and allow the lentils to simmer until they're almost fully cooked, but still a bit firm at their centers, about 20 minutes.
- Drain the lentils into a colander.
- Coat the bottom of a large skillet with the oil and place it over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper.
- Sweat the onion and pepper for about 5 minutes, until they begin to soften, stirring frequently.
- Add the garlic, walnuts, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cinnamon and cloves. Sauté the mixture for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
- Stir in the cooked lentils, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, red wine vinegar, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook everything just until the lentils are tender and the sauce thickens up a bit, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the olives and raisins. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide onto plates and serve with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro and lime wedges.
Nutrition
Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 12.7g | Fat: 13.2g | Saturated Fat: 1.3g | Sodium: 362mg | Potassium: 682mg | Fiber: 13.2g | Sugar: 11.2g | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 5mg