30-minute Lentil & Graffiti Eggplant Stew

While we're supposed to be heading for summer, the weather's been playing tricks. We've been experiencing overnight temperature fluctuations from 33°C to a low of 10°C, with icy berg winds making it feel way colder.
Yes, as unbelievable as it sounds for those living in the Northern Hemisphere, 10°C is freezing cold for a Durbanite.

Cold weather and I have never been best friends, and I needed comfort food to warm me up.

My veggies-on-wheels supplier had gorgeous graffiti (striped) eggplant, and they were waiting to be turned into a dish of sorts.

A hot tip that really works
If you want your veggies to last longer in the refrigerator, wrap them in paper towels before placing them into storage containers or bags. I guarantee you will be amazed - lettuce especially that quickly turns brown and slimy if you don't use it, will stay crispy and fresh much longer.

Back to cooking...
I told you about the stockpile of canned foods in my pantry, and I found a can of brown lentils that goes very well with eggplant. It also is an excellent source of protein.

I have a recipe for an Eggplant and Lentil Moussaka which I wanted like to share with you, but it was a little more work, and lunchtime was fast approaching, so the next best dish would be a stew of some sort.

I managed to gather all these gorgeous veggies:
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𝙇𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 & 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙩𝙞 𝙀𝙜𝙜𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙬 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙚

Quantities are not exact, you can omit and add any other veggies of choice.

1 Onion, finely diced
2 cloves Garlic, crushed
1 large Carrot, diced into cubes
2 Tomatoes, skins removed and diced
6 Baby Marrows (zucchini)
2 Eggplants, diced
Fresh Basil
Oregano
1 can brown Lentils

Sautee Onions and Garlic in Olive Oil
Add Carrots and sautee till veggies start to caramelize

Add Eggplant and stir-fry till it just starts to glaze

Add Tomatoes and Herbs, cover with lid and cook approx 5 min

Season to taste - I added salt, Paprika and Cayenne Pepper

Add lentils, stir and cover with lid. Cook till veggies are done

The kitchen was nice and warm from all the steam, and so was I. We (my staff and I) had a meal just in time for lunch.
I played around with different plating and even stepped outside to take a pic. See the difference the tableware and lighting makes!

Outdoors on a different plate.