Moroccan Lentils Tagine

Lentils are good for us!!!!... They are low in fat, calories and sodium, and are high in complex carbohydrates, fiber and protein. And, they have no cholesterol. Lentils can be an important source of iron, especially for women, whose iron needs are greater. Eating lentils with foods highly rich in Vitamin C  such as tomatoes, green pepper, broccoli and citrus fruits, helps the body absorb the iron more effectively. Lentils also provide potassium, especially important for people taking medications for heart disease and hypertension. Potassium is also thought to help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk for strokes.Versatile lentils are diet food. In addition to being low calorie , they are also filling and satisfying because they are high in fiber and complex carbohydrates. Here is a delicious moroccan dish with lentils and veggies....This dish is quite flavourful, tasty and nourishing coz of lentils and all the spice powders i used in this moroccan dish..Tagine is a type of dish found in North African cuisines of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, which is named after the special pot in which it is cooked, the traditional tagine pot is made entirely with a heavy clay which is painted or glazed, its consists of two parts: a base which is flat and ciruclar with low sides and a large cone like cover which rests inside the base while cooking, after cooking the base of tagine can be taken to the table for serving, i served this dish in my medium sized tagine pots  ..Am sending this lentils tagine to IAVW-Moracco guest hosted by Lavi's of Home Cook Recipes, event started by Vaishali...

3cups Lentils (soaked for an hour)
2cups Vegetable stock water
2nos Onions (chopped)
3nos Tomatoes (chopped)
5nos Garlic cloves (minced)
1tbsp Cumin powder
1tbsp Paprika powder
1/2tsp Pepper powder
2tsp Tomato paste
1/4cup Bellpeppers (chopped finely)
2tbsp Parsley leaves (chopped)
2tsp Coriander leaves (chopped)
Salt
3tbsp Olive oil


Heat the olive oil and add  the minced garlic cloves, followed by chopped onions, chopped tomatoes..saute everything for few seconds, add immediately the soaked lentils, tomato paste, cumin powder, paprika powder,pepper powder, salt , chopped bell peppers, chopped parsely leaves and coriander leaves and give a stir, add now the vegetable stock water and cook everything with lid closed until the lentils get well cooked..its very important to soak lentils before so that the cooking time will be very less...


Serve hot with moroccon breads!!!