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Are you looking to eat healthier? But, either you do not know where to start or need more recipe ideas to help you get there. Then, you are just like me. I really do want to eat healthier more often. I am not ready to give up meat that is for sure. I could, though, eat more vegetarian and vegan meals more often. To that end, I have really come to like lentils. Lentils are really good for you and they are pretty hearty.
Moroccan Lentils
Lentils are a legume a bean. They are great to work with because they cook pretty quickly and absorb whatever flavors are in the dish. They retain there shape after cooking. They are super high in nutritional value (see link provided at the beginning of this paragraph). Do you know where they originated and how long ago? The links I found suggest that lentils originated in Greece some 13,000 years ago. Not quite as long ago as that, they they showed up in Syria and Turkey 8000 and 6000 years ago, respectively. My Moroccan Lentils owe there origins to these regions of the world.
I can’t believe that I am eating lentils. If you told me, only a few years ago, that I would be eating lentils, and liking it, I would tell you that you are lying. Come on now, lentils. I did not even know what they were. If I had heard of them it was from some vegetarian friend of mine. No way, I was going over to their house for dinner. Am I alone here? Now, I am looking for more and more ways to eat them.
The spices for this recipe are all Moroccan but I build the texture with vegetables I love. This Moroccan Lentils recipe includes peppers – you knew that was coming – onions and garlic. Combine the onions, garlic with the Moroccan spices and the combination would be good on anything. This dish is really easy to prepare. Mix the spices into the onions. Add the rest of the veggies for texture. The lentils are cooked in water separately and then mixed with the vegetable spice mixture to come together for the final dish.
- 1/2 pound of Lentils
- 1 medium yellow onions
- 4 sweet peppers, various colors
- 3 tomatoes on the vine, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 - 10 ounce bag of spinach
- 1 tablespoon Moroccan spice mixture (bought at my local spice shop)
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons safflower or avocado oil
- In a pot of boiling water, cook the lentils according to the bag instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a skillet on medium heat, warm the oil.
- Add in the onions, peppers and spices.
- Cook for 3 - 4 minutes until the onions and peppers begin to soften.
- Add in the tomatoes and cook out most of there liquid.
- Add in the spinach and cook until just wilted.
- Finish by adding the drained lentils into the pan and let the flavors meld for a few minutes.
- While the flavors are coming together, fry your eggs. Leave them sunny side up.
- To serve, take the eggs and top the lentils.
- Enjoy!
Ingredients
Moroccan Spices & Eggs
Onions with spices; then peppers, tomatoes and finish by adding spinach.
Onions and Spices
Peppers Added
Spinach Added
The final dish all assembled and topped with a fried egg.
Plated
Made this twice, shared the recipe with my mom and sister, and we all love it! Thank you!
Joanne, thank you so much for writing. You have made my day, month, year. I am so glad your family enjoyed the recipe. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Have an awesome 2023 and hope to hear from you again.
#5: There or Their?
Please specify when to add the garlic.
The recipe calls for 4 Sweet (Bell) Peppers.
Nowhere does it state what size bell pepper.
The picture shows mini bell peppers.
Maybe you can be more clear in the the description.
Cathy, sorry about that. This is an older recipe and I have updated the recipe app I use. So I can’t fix the recipe. You are right that “there’ is mispelled. I did use sweet peppers in lieu of bell peppers. Do follow the pictures for the best way to see the steps. Good luck and thx for stopping by!
Ah! I loooove lentils, and I looooove Moroccan food/flavors. This sounds like a great dish!
Thx Pat.
These lentils look so delicious! I like Moroccan food but don’t have a handful of easy recipes around me. Will definitely cook this soon!
Love the concept and flavors in this Peter.
I am a fan of lentils. Usually I use them in soup. I like the ingredients in this dish, I really need to try it.
Dawn, and now I need to try them in soups. Got any good recipes?
I love lentils but rarely cook with them. I need to branch out and give this a try!
You do. I just started to make lentils and I love it.
Moroccan flavors are the best! Thanks for sharing this Peter!
Thank you for stopping by.
The lentil recipe is amazing, but pairing them with this runny eggs is even better.
A runny Egg makes everything better!
Peter, I almost feel like you made this for ME! I love Moroccan food and I especially love lentils in Middle Eastern dishes. I am definitely trying this!
You are so sweet. Can’t wait to see the pic you create for this dish!
Ohlala ! I have a new fascination with Moroccan cuisine, harissa has replaced all other hot sauce in my house! For sure I’ll drizzle some over these lentils ! Yum!
I love harissa too. It has just enough spice without over powering the dish.
Awesome pictures! The recipe looks and sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try it!
Thank you so much Cassandrea.
This is totally my kind of meal! I love it! Those spices, and lentils are one of my favs! Pinning to make later!
Thx Debi.
I love lentils in many dishes, your recipe looks amazing! Gorgeous Pictures and colors, just inviting!
Thx Florian.