Smoky Lentils with Pomegranate and Mint
When I made this dish I originally had a run-of-the-mill stewed lentil thing in mind. Then I just let my imagination run wild, grabbing whatever sounded good from my fridge and pantry. With ingredients like pomegranate molasses, cumin, smoked paprika, and fresh mint, it ended up tasting like a Middle Eastern version of baked beans. Savory, smoky, and complex-flavored with an underlying hint of sweetness, the sauce is killer.
Estimated Nutrition (whole recipe, rough)
Counts 16 of 17 ingredients — the other 1 aren't in our nutrition table and contribute nothing above, so the real totals are higher.
What these numbers assume — 16 portions →
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Pork | 100g cooked | 242 |
| Chicken | 100g cooked | 165 |
| Olive Oil | 1 tbsp (14g) | 119 |
| Lentil | 1/2 cup cooked (99g) | 115 |
| Pomegranate | 1/2 cup seeds (87g) | 72 |
| Molasses | 1 tbsp (20g) | 58 |
| Onion | 1 medium (110g) | 44 |
| Carrot | 1 medium (61g) | 25 |
| Tomato | 1 medium (123g) | 22 |
| Cumin | 1 tsp ground (2.1g) | 8 |
| Clove | 1 tsp ground (2g) | 7 |
| Celery | 1 stalk (40g) | 6 |
| Black Pepper | 1 tsp ground (2.3g) | 6 |
| Garlic | 1 clove (3g) | 4 |
| Vinegar | 1 tbsp (15ml) distilled | 3 |
| Salt | 1 tsp (6g) | 0 |
| Peppermint | not in our table | 0 |
Totals for the whole recipe, adding one typical portion per ingredient — listed above. Quantities in the recipe are not counted, so this is a rough guide only — not suitable for medical or dietary planning.
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 pound Smoked Turkey (basically Turkey Ham), Cubed Into 1/2-inch Pieces
- 8 cups Low-sodium Chicken Or Vegetable Stock, Warmed
- 1 can (15 Oz. Size) No-salt-added Diced Tomatoes, With Juices
- 2 whole Medium-large Onions, Chopped
- 3 whole Large Carrots, Scrubbed And Chopped
- 3 whole Large Stalks Celery, Chopped
- 5 cloves (Large) Garlic, Minced
- 1 pound Brown Lentils, Rinsed And Picked Over To Remove Any Stones Or Pieces Of Dirt
- 4 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 1 Tablespoon Pomegranate Molasses
- 1-½ teaspoon Cumin
- 1-½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- ½ teaspoons Salt
- ½ teaspoons Black Pepper
- 2 Tablespoons Pomegranate Vinegar
- 4 Tablespoons Torn Fresh Mint Leaves