Braised Lentils, Beets and Squash is a vibrant and nutritious dish. As an added bonus, lentils are thought by many to bring good fortune for the new year. Why not try this bright take on lentils as the main course for a vegan meal, or a side at a dinner where meat is also served?
I didn’t intend this recipe to be my New Year’s post, but it’s fitting to greet a new year with a lentil dish since these little legume orbs are considered a sign of prosperity in some cultures, signifying good luck as the next year arrives.
It’s also fitting, in my opinion, to start a new calendar with a dish that’s full of colour and flavour, as a promise of a vibrant, joyful year ahead.
And, what better way to ring in another year than with food that not only symbolizes prosperity and provides a vibrant feast for the eyes, but is also nutritious? After all, it’s customary to wish others good health at New Year’s, so why not serve it up on a plate?
Braised Lentils, Beets and Squash
Back in 2015 I came across a recipe for beet-braised lentils with thyme and apples on the blog Simple Bites and found myself intrigued by the combination of beets and lentils. I haven’t made this recipe, but it inspired me to experiment with braised lentils combined with hearty fall vegetables, namely beets and butternut squash. What I’ve come up with is delicious and quite different from the braised lentils I’ve made in the past. This current recipe, being a truer braise, has the virtue of a long period in the oven, during which time I’m free to putter about. I enjoy all types of cooking, but there’s a special place in my heart for any meal I can “make” while I’m ensconced in my favourite armchair with a good book.
Get With the Beet
I’ve made it numerous times now, and can advise with assurance that while this dish looks attractive with golden beets (which have the advantage of not staining your hands), and stunning with red beets, you should avoid using candy cane (chioggia) beets. While their rings of red and white look lovely in a salad, the braise came out an unappealing muddy colour when I used them. It still tasted good, but on the principle that we eat with our eyes first, go with the red, or the gold if you want less of a mess to contend with.
Just look at the riot of colour in the skillet on the stovetop; if that’s not a vibrant way to welcome a new year, I don’t know what is!
I also tried using finely chopped beets, but the result was not as good as when I shredded them. Shredded beets almost melt into the braise resulting in a pleasing texture. Little beet cubes, uh-uh, not so much.
The final bit of wisdom I have to pass on to you is that if you’re at all faint of wrist, as I am, use a food processor if you can to shred the beets and squash. Despite knowing better, I shredded these super-hard vegetables on a box grater and paid dearly for my efforts.
Which Lentils to Choose?
I’ve made the braise successfully with green French lentils and brown lentils, and suggest that any green or brown variety would do. I’ve also tried it with beluga lentils, in the hope they would retain their inky blackness, making the dish look even more stunning. I discovered that the beluga lentils fade to a dark brown, so the visual effect isn’t worth the extra expense.
I’m looking forward to making this dish for my New Year’s dinner today. And yes, I’m going to take my own advice and haul my food processor out of the cupboard in the basement. If company of the carnivorous variety were coming, I might serve the jewel-toned lentil dish with a side (yes, I said side) of pork, perhaps sausages or a roasted loin (pork is also considered good luck for the new year in some circles). On its own, as long as you use vegetable stock, this is a most hearty and satisfying vegan entree that will have any omnivore asking for seconds.
Wishing you a healthy, vibrant, joyous and prosperous New Year, with lots of deliciousness on your plate every day.
Let’s Make Braised Lentils, Beets & Squash
- 1 tbsp grapeseed or olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 stalks celery, cut in 4 lengthwise and then sliced thinly
- 1 red chile pepper, seeded and minced
- about 1 lb red or golden beets, coarsely shredded
- about 1 lb butternut squash, coarsely shredded
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 cups vegetable stock
- 1 cup lentils (brown or green)
- 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley (chop the stems and add separately)
- 1/4 cup white wine
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Pre-heat the oven to 350°F.
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In an oven-proof skillet or braising dish heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery and chile pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for about five minutes. Add the shredded beets and squash, and the parsley stems if using. Cook for another five minutes or so, stirring from time to time. Add the stock, lentils and fresh herbs (or dried, if substituting) and stir well.
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Cover the skillet or dish and put into the oven. After 30 minutes, taste and adjust the seasonings as needed. Stir in the white wine and put back into the oven, uncovered, for another 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
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To serve, garnish with additional chopped parsley.
Looking for Other Lentil Goodness?
I have a multitude of lentil recipes here on Urban Cottage Life, so it’s hard to settle on just three to recommend. But, I’ve done it! Here are some that I turn to over and over: Red Lentil Coconut Dhal; Lentil and Feta Summer Salad; and Fragrant Red Lentil Dhal.
Originally published 2015 01 01
Republished 2018 01 01
Updated 2020 12 31
What a sweet receipe for the beginning of a new year..Happy New Year…..☺
Happy new year to you as well, Suzanne!
Delicious! Thank you Mar.
Another great vegan recipe to try! I got the ingredients in the fridge ready to be assembled.
I just made another big pot of this. I hope you enjoy it!
Happy New Year Marlene!
And all the best for 2015 to you as well, Meg! Here’s to lots of happy travels!
[…] recipes that make you look at healthy eating in a new way. First there was this vibrant take on Braised Lentils, Beets & Squash, followed by some snackilicious Roasted Curried […]
Lentils are supposed to bring good luck so I like your first of the year post…the dish sounds good. All the best in this new year, Marlene.
Thank you, Karen, this is one of my favourite dishes and yes, in many cultures lentils are a symbol of prosperity! Happy New Year to you!
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You mentioned one of my favorite chef topics, a grater! Those box graters have 4 grate sizes or fewer and they’re not designed well for hard veggies or soft knuckles. In fact, I tossed mine, too frustrating to use. They also ooze too many veggie starches, making a too juicy pile of veggies that cling together in a lump; and for grated carrots in a salad for example, who wants oozing juicy lumpy carrots that don’t disperse well in a salad, nor crunch very well in the mouth? The best grater is the 11-1/2-Inch extra coarse Grater by Cuisipro which is very solid, heavy stainless with a rubber end to prevent slipping as you hold it with one hand. It’s normally $22 but if you’re patient and put it on your watch list, you can get it on sale for $18 during rare mark-downs. Trust me, it’s the best! Potatoes, carrots, everything comes out nicely and quickly with miniscule oozing of juices.
Thanks for the tip, Terri! Always important to have the proper tools! I’m still grating away with my old box grater … hopefully I won’t regret that one day, lol. I appreciate you reading my post. Happy New Year!
Very good year to you and family and love always your colorful receipes……🤩
Happy New Year to you as well, Suzanne! I appreciate how faithfully you follow what I do here … thank you!
And a wonderful new year to you, too! It’s always good to have some colour on the plate … we eat with our eyes first!
Wishing you all the best in this New Year Marlene.
Thank you, Karen, and the same to you. I wonder what 2019 will have in store for us? Lots of good food and adventures, I hope.