Description
A comforting and nutritious slow cooker recipe featuring tender cabbage and hearty lentils simmered in a flavorful broth with aromatic spices. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for warming your soul and making a satisfying vegetarian meal that’s rich in fiber and plant-based protein.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 1 head Green Cabbage (Chopped into bite-sized pieces)
- 2 medium Carrots (Diced or sliced)
- 1 medium Onion (Finely chopped)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced)
- ¼ cup Fresh Parsley or Cilantro (Chopped, for garnish)
Lentils & Broth
- 1 cup Brown or Green Lentils (Rinsed well)
- 4 cups Vegetable Broth (Low-sodium recommended)
Spices & Seasonings
- 2 leaves Bay Leaves (Optional)
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika (Adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Ground Cumin (Adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Customize to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Customize to taste)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste (Optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather all ingredients and prepare the vegetables by chopping the cabbage into bite-sized pieces, rinsing lentils thoroughly, dicing or slicing carrots, and finely chopping the onion and mincing the garlic.
- Layer the ingredients: In the slow cooker, place the chopped cabbage at the bottom as the base layer. Add the rinsed lentils on top, followed by the carrots, chopped onion, and minced garlic.
- Add the broth: Pour the vegetable broth over the layered ingredients, ensuring everything is covered. If using tomato paste, stir it into the broth before pouring for added richness.
- Season generously: Sprinkle in smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Add bay leaves if using for an extra depth of flavor, and gently stir to combine the seasonings evenly throughout.
- Cook to perfection: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and set to low heat for 6-8 hours or high heat for 3-4 hours. Cook until the lentils are tender and the cabbage is soft but not mushy.
- Finish your dish: Once cooking is complete, remove the bay leaves carefully and stir the cabbage and lentil mixture gently to combine. Serve hot, garnished with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro for a bright, fresh touch.
Notes
- Rinse lentils well to remove any debris or dust before cooking.
- Adjust spices to your personal taste preference for heat and smokiness.
- If you prefer a thicker stew-like consistency, reduce the broth quantity slightly or cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to allow some liquid to evaporate.
- Use low-sodium vegetable broth to control the salt levels.
- Can be served as a main dish or a hearty side.
- Make sure not to overcook the cabbage to retain some texture.
- This dish is vegan and gluten-free by default.
