Starting the new year with lighter meals can be as simple as reducing meat and dairy. Even occasional plant-based meals help diversify your diet and increase intake of fiber and plant protein.
This Vegetarian Lentils with Pears recipe is hearty, high in non-meat protein, and very easy to prepare. It’s adaptable—you can swap ingredients to suit your taste or use what’s available in your kitchen.
I brought this dish to a holiday potluck recently, and it was well received by vegetarians, vegans and omnivores alike.
Vegetarian Lentils with Pears
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked lentils
2 cups pears, chopped
1 red onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
4 tbsp grapeseed oil (or another neutral oil)
Salt, to taste
Instructions:
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. A cast iron pan works well for even browning.
2. Add the pears, onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pears soften and the onions begin to caramelize.
3. Stir in the cooked lentils, cilantro and salt. Add a little more oil if needed. Continue cooking for 10–15 minutes so flavors meld and the mixture is heated through.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately, or transfer to a covered container for transport to a potluck.
Tip: I used D’Anjou pears, but other varieties work well. Crisp pears, including Korean pears, add a pleasant texture contrast to the lentils.
For transport I used a glass baking dish with a sealing lid and an insulated tote. The tote’s double handle makes it easy to carry without tipping, and there was room for a serving spoon on top of the dish. The dish stayed warm and arrived ready to serve.
