Sweet Potatoes, Lentils, Kale and Coconut Milk Stew

It's hard to beat a good stew. A classic comfort food, warm, hearty stews fill our bellies and make us feel good. Perhaps they remind us of childhood, or perhaps they are just satisfying to tuck into after a long day. The best part about stew is that it is easy to make them nutritional powerhouses. This ginger sweet potatoes stew with coconut milk, lentils and kale is simple, healthy, and oh-so comforting.

What not to love about this sweet potatoe stew recipe? It's bright orange colour with gorgeous bursts of green kale makes it as easy on the eyes as its creamy texture with a hint of spice does on the taste buds

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp coconut oil, or any cooking oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1-1½ tsp dried chili flakes
• 1½ tsp ground coriander
• 1½ tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 inch fresh ginger, peeled and finely grated
• 4 cloves garlic, finely grated
• salt and pepper to taste
• 3 medium sweet potatoes, diced into 2 inch cubes
• 1 cup brown lentils
• 5 cups vegetable stock
• 400ml full-fat coconut milk
• bunch of kale
• chili flakes, optional for garnishing
• Lime wedges
• chopped cilantro

Method:

Heat a large pot over medium heat and melt coconut oil. 

Sauté the onions until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the spices and stir until fragrant. Add in the ginger and garlic and stir for another minute. Stir in the salt and pepper.

Add the lentils and cook for another 3 minutes so that the lentils and the spices are well coated. Add in the vegetable stock and stir thoroughly so that everything is mixed well and no dry clumps. Let it boil for 5 minutes then add in the sweet potatoes. Put the lid on the pot and bring the soup to a boil.

Lower the heat to a simmer with the lid slightly off the pot to allow for steam to escape. Simmer for about 30 minutes, until the sweet potatoes and lentils are both soft and tender.

Stir in the coconut milk, kale and chopped coriander. Put the lid back on and simmer until the kale wilted, about 3-4 minutes.

Check for seasoning and add more salt, pepper or chillies as desired.