Lentil Potato Hotpot

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This Lentil Potato Hotpot is a hearty and wholesome plant-based take on the classic British hotpot. With a rich red lentil filling packed with vegetables and topped with crispy, golden potato slices, it makes for a comforting and satisfying meal. The aromatic herbs and flavorful ragu sauce blend beautifully to create a delicious vegan dinner option that the whole family will love.

Not only is this hotpot incredibly tasty, but it is also simple to make and naturally gluten-free. Serve it as a cozy weeknight dinner, paired with roasted green beans and carrots for a complete meal. It’s perfect for those looking to enjoy a meat-free version of a beloved British classic without compromising on flavor or heartiness.

Full Recipe:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 white onion, finely diced
2 medium-large carrots, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced

250 g dried red lentils, rinsed
1 tbsp corn flour
1 tin of chopped tomatoes

1 vegetable stock cube + 400 ml water
2 tbsp tomato puree
1 tbsp tamari sauce

2 bay leaves
1 tsp mixed herbs
1 tsp rosemary

1 tsp oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
2-3 large baking potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly into discs

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
In a skillet or pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and carrots, and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.

Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes, then stir in the corn flour.
Add the tomato puree, tamari sauce, red lentils, chopped tomatoes, half of the vegetable stock, bay leaves, mixed herbs, rosemary, and oregano. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer.
Let the lentil mixture cook for 15 minutes, adding more stock if needed, until the lentils are tender and the sauce has thickened.

While the sauce is simmering, peel and thinly slice the potatoes (less than 0.5 cm thick).
If using a baking dish, transfer the lentil mixture to it. Arrange the potato slices on top in a slightly overlapping pattern.
Drizzle a little olive oil, sprinkle some black pepper and thyme over the potatoes, then cover the dish with foil.

Bake for 30 minutes with the foil on, then remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes until the potatoes are golden and crispy.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 65 minutes
Kcal: 395 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings

About Lentil Potato Hotpot

The Lentil Potato Hotpot is a delicious, plant-based take on the traditional British hotpot. Originating from Lancashire, the classic hotpot typically consists of a savory stew made with diced lamb and onions, topped with sliced potatoes and slow-cooked to perfection. This vegan version swaps out the meat for protein-rich red lentils, creating a wholesome and hearty dish that retains all the comforting flavors of the original. The lentils, combined with a rich tomato-based ragu, offer a satisfying texture and depth of flavor, making this dish perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a comforting meal without animal products.

Ingredients Breakdown and Nutritional Highlights

Red Lentils: The star of this dish, red lentils are an excellent source of plant-based protein and fiber. They provide a rich, meaty texture to the hotpot while absorbing the flavors of the tomato and herb-infused sauce.
Potatoes: Thinly sliced potatoes create a crispy and golden topping that contrasts beautifully with the rich, savory lentil filling underneath. Potatoes are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and complex carbohydrates, making this dish both hearty and satisfying.
Herbs and Spices: The combination of bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, and oregano enhances the flavor profile of the dish, giving it an aromatic and earthy taste that is both comforting and delicious.

Tamari Sauce: This gluten-free soy sauce alternative adds a subtle umami flavor to the lentil ragu, enriching the overall taste of the hotpot.

Variations and Substitutions

Lentil Substitutes: If you can’t find red lentils, green lentils can be used as a substitute. However, note that green lentils don’t break down as much as red lentils, so they will offer a different texture. You may need to increase the cooking time and add more stock to the recipe if using dried green lentils.
Mashed Potato Topping: For a twist on the classic hotpot, you can top the lentil mixture with mashed potatoes instead of sliced potatoes. This will make the dish resemble a shepherd’s pie, offering a creamy topping that pairs wonderfully with the hearty filling.

Additional Vegetables: Feel free to add more vegetables to the ragu for added flavor and nutrition. Diced celery, mushrooms, and parsnips make great additions, contributing extra texture and flavor.
Gluten-Free Alternative: The use of corn flour in this recipe makes it naturally gluten-free. If you don’t have corn flour, you can use plain flour instead, but keep in mind this will alter the gluten-free status of the dish.

Serving Suggestions

This Lentil Potato Hotpot pairs well with a variety of side dishes, making it a versatile meal for any occasion. Here are some serving suggestions:

Roasted Vegetables: Serve the hotpot alongside roasted green beans, carrots, or a medley of seasonal vegetables to add extra color and nutrition to your meal.
Fresh Salad: A fresh, crisp salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette can provide a refreshing contrast to the hotpot’s rich flavors.
Bread: Warm, crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the savory lentil sauce, making each bite even more satisfying.

Storage and Reheating

Leftovers of this vegan lentil hotpot can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, simply cover the dish with foil and place it in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes to crisp up the potato topping. You can also prepare this dish ahead of time, up until the point where you layer the potatoes, and freeze it for later use. When ready to eat, thaw it completely in the refrigerator before baking according to the instructions.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: This hotpot requires minimal prep time and uses simple, wholesome ingredients that are easy to find. It’s a one-pot wonder that comes together with just a skillet and a baking dish.
Comforting and Satisfying: With its layers of hearty lentil ragu and crispy potato topping, this hotpot offers the perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s the ultimate comfort food that will warm you up on a chilly day.

Versatile and Customizable: This recipe is highly adaptable, allowing you to customize it with your favorite vegetables or seasonings. It’s also an excellent way to use up pantry staples like lentils and potatoes.

Cultural Context and History

The Lentil Potato Hotpot is a vegan twist on a classic British comfort food known as the Lancashire hotpot. This dish hails from the northwestern county of Lancashire in England and was originally a one-pot meal made with lamb, onions, and potatoes. Historically, the hotpot was designed as a convenient, hearty meal that could be left to cook slowly, using less expensive cuts of meat and simple ingredients. It became particularly popular among working-class families due to its ease of preparation and the ability to feed a large number of people with minimal resources.

By transforming this classic dish into a vegan version, the Lentil Potato Hotpot pays homage to its origins while catering to modern dietary preferences. The use of lentils as a meat substitute is not only cost-effective but also reflects a growing trend toward plant-based eating that emphasizes sustainability and health.

Nutritional Benefits

High in Protein and Fiber: Red lentils are an excellent source of plant-based protein and dietary fiber. They help keep you full and satisfied while also supporting digestive health. Each serving of this hotpot provides a balanced amount of protein, making it suitable for vegans and vegetarians seeking nutritious meal options.
Low in Fat: The Lentil Potato Hotpot is naturally low in fat, especially if you limit the amount of olive oil used. It’s a wholesome, heart-friendly meal that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: This dish is packed with essential nutrients. Lentils are rich in iron, folate, and magnesium, while potatoes provide a good dose of vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6. The addition of carrots and other optional vegetables like celery and mushrooms further boosts the vitamin and mineral content.

Complex Carbohydrates: Potatoes and lentils are great sources of complex carbohydrates, which provide sustained energy release. This makes the hotpot a perfect meal for keeping energy levels steady throughout the day.

Cooking Tips for the Perfect Hotpot

Thin Potato Slices: To achieve the ideal crispy topping, it’s important to slice the potatoes as thinly as possible, ideally less than 0.5 cm thick. Using a mandolin slicer can help achieve uniformly thin slices, but a sharp knife will also do the trick if you’re careful.
Layering: When layering the potato slices on top of the lentil ragu, slightly overlap them in a circular pattern. This not only creates an attractive presentation but also ensures even cooking, resulting in a beautifully golden, crisp finish.

Baking Tips: Baking the hotpot in two stages (covered and then uncovered) ensures that the potatoes cook through while also becoming crispy on top. Covering the dish with foil for the first part of the baking process helps the potatoes soften by trapping steam, while removing the foil for the final bake allows them to crisp up.
Adjusting Consistency: If you find the lentil mixture too thick, add a splash of vegetable stock or water to achieve your desired consistency. Conversely, if it’s too watery, let it simmer for a bit longer to reduce and thicken.
Enhancing Flavor: For a deeper flavor, consider adding a splash of red wine to the lentil mixture while it simmers. This adds a rich, complex note that elevates the dish. Additionally, if you prefer a smokier taste, a pinch of smoked paprika can be a wonderful addition.

Dietary Modifications and Customizations

Vegan Cheese Topping: For an extra layer of indulgence, sprinkle some vegan cheese on top of the potatoes during the last 10 minutes of baking. This adds a creamy, melted texture that pairs wonderfully with the crispy potatoes.
Gluten-Free Version: This recipe is already gluten-free if you use corn flour as a thickener. Ensure that the tamari sauce is certified gluten-free. If substituting with soy sauce, check for gluten-free labeling.
Oil-Free Option: For those following an oil-free diet, you can sauté the vegetables in a bit of vegetable broth instead of olive oil. Additionally, skip the drizzle of oil on the potatoes and use a light vegetable broth mist to help them crisp up.

High-Protein Variation: To boost the protein content even further, add cooked chickpeas or kidney beans to the lentil mixture. This not only adds extra protein but also enhances the texture and heartiness of the dish.

Meal Prep and Storage

Make-Ahead: The Lentil Potato Hotpot is an excellent make-ahead dish. Prepare the lentil ragu and assemble the hotpot in advance, then store it in the refrigerator covered with foil. When you’re ready to serve, simply bake it as directed. This makes it an ideal dish for busy weeknights or for entertaining guests.
Freezing Instructions: To freeze, prepare the hotpot up to the point of baking. Cover the dish tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to cook, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking. This method ensures that the potatoes retain their texture without becoming mushy.

Reheating: If you have leftovers, they can be reheated in the oven for best results. Cover the dish with foil to prevent the potatoes from drying out, then bake at 180°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes until heated through. For a crispier top, remove the foil for the last 5 minutes of reheating.

Serving Ideas and Pairings

Herbed Salad: A fresh salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a light lemon vinaigrette is a refreshing side that complements the hearty hotpot.
Pickled Vegetables: Serve with a side of pickled red cabbage or beets for a tangy contrast that cuts through the richness of the lentil ragu.

Vegan Gravy: Drizzle some homemade vegan gravy over the hotpot for an extra layer of flavor. The savory gravy enhances the dish’s comforting qualities and adds a touch of indulgence.

Conclusion

The Lentil Potato Hotpot is a delightful and nourishing dish that brings together the comforting flavors of a traditional British classic with the wholesome goodness of plant-based ingredients. Its rich, savory filling paired with a crispy potato topping makes it a perfect meal for any occasion—whether it’s a cozy family dinner or a gathering with friends. Easy to prepare, highly customizable, and packed with nutrients, this hotpot not only satisfies the palate but also supports a healthy lifestyle. Embrace the deliciousness of this vegan hotpot and enjoy a hearty meal that everyone will love!