Toronto has welcomed the gloomy weather. Summer is gone, 15C has become a warm afternoon. Everybody is looking their best in their fall clothing. Warm colors are everywhere and comfort food and cosy diner recipes are back! That’s right, let’s give a break to the blogging word with the summer salad recipes.
As sad as I am that summer was that short, we have to embrace fall and its beautiful colors. I wanted a bowl of something comforting, something warm to hold with both hands, a stew.
A sweet colleague at work gave me a crock pot, used just one for a potluck at the office. I was so exited of my new toy, yes TOY, I am a foodie and a new thing in my kitchen is my toy.
I have never own a crock pot but I was considering it. A lot of my entourage only swear by it in the winter and saying how wonderful it is since it does all the work.
ALL THE WORK? But I like the work in the kitchen! I really do :), call me crazy but it is my happy place what can I do. However… however, I am a Mom too and taking it easy on a week day is totally on the agenda!
I have been meaning to cook some lentils for a while and entering the fall is a perfect reason to get a boost of iron. I add some big Italian sausage (mild) from Costco and I do not enjoy them that much on the barbecue. In the crock pot, it was perfect, the skin was more tender.
I also added some 7 grains medley from Uncle Ben’s, it has a bunch of ancien grains, I love those. I have a thing for barley, you know. Some broth, some cumin and a few other ingredients build a perfect dish for a chilly night. The kids loved it!
Hold on there…
– Easy and simple
– Tasty and comforting
– Perfect for the whole family
I think we have a winner here! Try this easy, smell-my-kitchen perfect easy-peasy stew recipe!
If you want a vegetarian option, just skip the sausage and voila! Taste still amazing reheated… if you have any left over.
The cumin gave an perfect note of spice in the dish, the 7 grains were al dente and the lentils full of flavor with the broth.
Ingredients
- - 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- - 2 shallots, chopped
- - 1 cup of lentils
- - 1 cup of 7 grains medley from Uncle Ben's
- - 900ml of vegetable stock
- - 1 teaspoon of cumin
- - 1 teaspoon of salt
- - 2 tablespoon of tomato paste
- - 3 big mild Italian sausages
Instructions
- - Put all the ingredients in the slow cooker
- - Stir well
- - Let it cook for 3 hours
- - Serve
12 Comments
behgopa
September 17, 2014 at 7:11 amI cant tell you how jealous I am of you and everyone else experiencing cold weather. We have been dying from the heat here in LA. I can’t wait until it cools down here and actually feel like fall. Comfort food like this sure would hit the spot on a brisk fall day.
Mélanie
September 19, 2014 at 1:18 pmAhah, happy to switch places! Waking with 5C is no fun :(
Shareba @ In Search Of Yummy-ness
September 19, 2014 at 4:15 pmThis looks like a simple and hearty dinner idea, I’ll save this for later :)
Mélanie
September 19, 2014 at 4:23 pmThank you Shareba!
Sarah | (Cooking for) Kiwi & Bean
September 19, 2014 at 4:57 pmSO….I’ve always found the slower cooker kinda touchy (i.e. I’ve never gotten great results). But this looks gooooood! And I love simple easy weeknight fare. Definitely going to try it!
Mélanie
September 19, 2014 at 5:53 pmGive it another try Sarah, it was a big hit in my house and with minimal work! The perfect friend for mummies!
Lisa @ Food Well Said
September 19, 2014 at 5:32 pmA great recipe for when the weather turns. Lovely!
Mélanie
September 19, 2014 at 5:55 pmUnfortunately, the weather turned already in Toronto :(
kitchenr jon
September 20, 2014 at 3:23 amSounds great! This serves as a good reminder for me to start doing at least one crock pot recipe each week, especially with this cold weather.
Mélanie
September 22, 2014 at 10:28 amOne crock pot a week is a great idea Jon, condidering there could be leftover, it is perfect for week days!
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
September 21, 2014 at 11:57 amThe crock pot is my favourite kitchen appliance, Melanie. I just love the variety of things you can make in it. This sounds wonderful – definitely a little bit different, which I love!
Mélanie
September 22, 2014 at 10:29 amThank you Helen, I adquire the crockpot but I already guess a long friendship over the winter! Any recipes you recommend in particular?