Here is yet another sublime stew that I tried out last week: a savory lentil stew with carrots and quail legs! And a good example that stews can also be light!
You will absolutely adore this one…
There is no need to soak the dried lentils overnight like white beans or any other type of dried pulses. Two hours is more than enough.
If you forgot to do that, don’t you panic: you can make this stew using dried unsoaked lentils but you might have to cook the stew for a bit longer. Or here is another option: soak the dried lentils in hot water for 30 minutes while you are prepping this recipe.
30 Minutes
I don’t know where you live but here quail is very easy to find.
And it is super cheap. One buck per bird! My supermarket next door even sells quail legs from time to time, 8 legs for $2.50 – a bargain!
I love that quail meat: it is very delicate and it tastes kind of gamey if you ask me.
It is totally different from chicken meat, that is for sure! I thought at first that the quail legs would be a bit dry after stewing them in the lentils but I was wrong.
Easy Lentil Stew with Quail
The meat was just perfect.
I made this lentil stew with quail legs but you can also use whole quails. It is very easy to chop up into legs and split the rib cage in half. If you have a pair of poultry scissors you will pull this job off in 2 minutes.
And because I can find quail easily I have made a couple of quail recipes before, no surprise.
Do you like quail?
Then you should also check out my quails with grapes and cilantro!
Quail Recipes
Or perhaps my quail legs with white beans, whiskey and salted butter. And how about my rich miso risotto with bacon wrapped quail legs? Take a look at those recipes as well, I am absolutely sure that you will find your favorite!
If you don’t have a KitchenAid Cook Processor and want to prepare this lentil stew in a casserole, scroll down to the second recipe!
Enjoy!
Easy Lentil Stew with Quail Recipe – KitchenAid Cook Processor
- 8 quail legs or 2 whole quails
- 10,5 oz dry lentils (350 g), soaked for 2 hours
- 3 cups chicken stock (720 ml)
- 1 large fresh carrot peeled and diced
- 1 small onion
- 2 medium garlic cloves
- 4 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs dried rosemary dried rosemary
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- pepper
- salt
- Peel the onion and garlic cloves. Add them to the bowl of the Cook Processor fitted with the MultiBlade. Close the lid and press Pulse for 5 seconds. Remove the MultiBlade and insert the StirAssist. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the diced carrot. Also add the olive oil, the (dried) rosemary sprigs and the bay leaves.
- Close the lid and insert the measuring cup. Select STEW P7 and then press Start to activate Step 1. After that scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the dried lentils and the chicken stock. Season with a generous pinch of pepper and salt.
- Close the lid and press Start to activate Step 2. Then add the quail.
- Close the lid and press Start to activate Step 3. In the end press cancel to exit the keep warm mode. Check the seasoning of the lentil stew and add extra pepper or salt to taste if necessary.
- Scoop the lentil stew onto deep plates and top with the cooked quail. Serve immediately.
Easy Lentil Stew with Quail
If you don’t have a KitchenAid Cook Processor and want to prepare this lentil stew in a casserole, then here is how to do it!
Easy Lentil Stew with Quail Recipe
- 8 quail legs or 2 whole quails
- 10,5 oz dry lentils (350 g)
- 3 cups chicken stock (720 ml)
- 1 large fresh carrot peeled and diced
- 1 small onion
- 2 medium garlic cloves
- 4 bay leaves
- 2 sprigs dried rosemary
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- pepper
- salt
- Peel the onion, carrot and garlic cloves. Chop the onion and garlic finely. Dice the carrot. Add the vegetables to a non-stick casserole (one with a lid) together with the olive oil, the (dried) rosemary sprigs and the bay leaves.
- Place the casserole over medium-high heat and gently fry the vegetables for 4 minutes. Then add the dried lentils (no need to soak them beforehand) and the chicken stock. Season with a generous pinch of pepper and salt.
- Stir and bring the stew to a good boil. Then turn the heat lower and simmer the lentil stew for 30 minutes under a lid. After that, add the quail.
- Stir and put the lid back on the casserole. Cook the stew and lentil for another 10 to 12 minutes. In the end check the seasoning of the lentil stew and then add extra pepper or salt to taste if necessary.
- Scoop the lentil stew onto deep plates and top with the cooked quail. Serve immediately.
