WikiHow Tutorial: Caribbean Lentils

Step 1: Take a trip to your local grocery store to gather the ingredients you will need for this recipe. You will need, one large can of lentils, one shallot, 2 green onions, 3 cloves of garlic, one cup of vegetable stock, one can of stewed tomatoes, browning, one cup of diced pumpkin, butternut squash, sweet potato or carrots, one half of scotch bonnet pepper(optional), one teaspoon of olive oil, celery, one tablespoon of fresh parsley and one bay leaf. You will also need to gather the correct seasonings. You will need one tablespoon of brown sugar, one teaspoon of black pepper, salt to taste and Caribbean seasoning. 

Step 2: To start preparing the dish you want to first start cutting up your vegetables. Find a utility knife or a paring knife. Start chopping your garlic nicely minced but not too much. Then start chopping your shallot, green onion, parsley, celery and if you choose to use butternut squash sweet potato or carrots. Be sure to boil your sweet potatoe until soft. 

Step 3: Now it is time to start cooking your ingredients together. Grab a pan out of your kitchen cabinet. Turn your eye on low heat and place your pan over the eye. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to the pot. As the pot begins to warm up it is time to add your chopped shallot, garlic, and celery. Keep the heat on low for three minutes, you want the onions and garlic to sweat not burn. Next you can add in your green onions and black pepper. Add your diced pumpkin, butternut squash, sweet potato or carrots. After a minute add in your can of stewed tomatoes, then mix your vegetables in the sauce to incorporate the flavors. Now add in your can of lentils. Please make sure to include the liquid in the can of lentils as it is needed for the stew. Next up add in chopped parsley and one bay leaf. Follow it up by adding your one cup of vegetable stock and tablespoon of browning. Be wary not to use to much browning as it will make your dish bitter. Add one tablespoon of brown sugar as it will balance the tartness for the tomato. Add a pinch of salt, be sure not to taste your dish later and add more salt if you like. This way you will avoid over salting your dish. Now you can also add in your Caribbean seasoning. Take your spatula and give everything a stir as it comes to a boil. Let it simmer for twenty to thirty minutes. The stew is complete! This can be served by it self, with rice or crackers. Enjoy!