Garry Boniface • 7 December 2025

Chunky Vegetable and Lentil Spanish Stew


This recipe is taken from " The Happy Pear". Huge fans of the Flynn brothers, making vegan food accessible and delicious and fun! This recipe is packed with plant protein from lentils, supporting muscle repair and is high in fibre, great for digestion and keeping you full.


Serves 6–8

Ingredients

  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 medium leeks, sliced
  • 2 carrots, diced small
  • 2 medium potatoes, diced small
  • 1 parsnip, diced small
  • 150 g dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
  • 1 × 400 g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 3 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 1.5–2 litres vegetable stock
  • Handful spinach or kale, chopped
  • Salt & black pepper
  • Optional: handful of chopped parsley

Method

1. Sauté the base

Heat the olive oil in a large pot. Add the onion, garlic and leeks. Cook for 8–10 minutes until softened.

2. Add the chunky vegetables

Stir in the potatoes, carrots and parsnip. Season with salt and pepper.
Cover with a lid and let the vegetables steam in their own juices for
10 minutes over medium heat.
Stir occasionally and add a splash of water if the vegetables begin to stick.

3. Build the soup

Add the rinsed lentils, chopped tomatoes, tamari (or soy sauce), bay leaves, smoked paprika and 1.5 litres of vegetable stock.
Stir well and bring to a boil.

4. Simmer gently

Reduce the heat and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils and vegetables are tender and the soup is thick and hearty. Add extra stock if you prefer a thinner soup.

5. Finish

Stir in the spinach or kale during the last 2 minutes, it wilts almost instantly. Season with salt and black pepper. Add parsley if using.

6. Serve

Ladle into bowls. Serve with crusty bread or freeze in portions for busy days.

Approx 210 kcals per serving, naturally low in fat.

by Laura Bell 7 December 2025
A hearty, nourishing salad packed with roasted carrots, lentils, nuts and warming spices, perfect for busy days when you still want something wholesome. We enjoyed this salad on our last Winter day retreat, we kept it vegan but I was dying to sprinkle on blue cheese!
by Laura Bell 7 December 2025
This stew is high in fibre, plant protein, antioxidants and slow-release carbohydrates — super nourishing and naturally gluten-free + vegan. The perfect winter warmer stew.
by Kristen Lackajis 3 December 2025
Brimming with flavour, this sweet and savoury miso roasted butternut squash is the ideal dish for a delicious winter feast.