Lanti Nwar (Mauritian Brown Lentil Soup)
Lanti Nwar is a Mauritian dish that is rich in flavour and packed with nutrients. This vegan-friendly recipe is easy to prepare and perfect for a quick weekday dinner.
Ingredients
- 400 g brown lentils
- 3 tbsp rice bran oil or other neutral-flavoured cooking oil
- 1 large brown onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic
- 4 sprigs thyme
- 2 to 3 curry leaves (also known as karipoule)
- 1.2 l water
- 400 ml crushed tomatoes
- ¼ tsp cumin
- 1 carrot diced
- 1 potato diced
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Complete Recipe Steps
- Rinse the brown lentils twice, removing all dirt, dust and debris. Cover with water and allow to soak for 30 minutes.400 g brown lentils
- In a large pot, heat the cooking oil over medium-high heat.3 tbsp rice bran oil
- Add the onion, garlic, thyme leaves and curry leaves (if using). Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.1 large brown onion, 3 cloves garlic, 4 sprigs thyme, 2 to 3 curry leaves
- Add the water, crushed tomatoes and the drained lentils to the pot and bring to the boil.1.2 l water, 400 ml crushed tomatoes
- Stir in the cumin, then add chopped carrots and potatoes.¼ tsp cumin, 1 carrot, 1 potato
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook covered for approximately 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. You may need to occasionally add more water as needed to maintain the water level above the lentils.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste before turning off the heat. The lentils should be soft. You can also check the texture of the lentils to determine when your Lanti Nwar is ready if you prefer a different texture.salt, pepper
- Serve hot over steamed rice with a main dish.
Notes
- If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can blend the tomatoes before adding them to the pot.
- You can adjust the spices to your liking or add chilli for extra heat.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.