Tomato, leek and fennel braised lentils
My tomato, leek, and fennel braised lentils are a constantly requested recipe by all who have tried them. Made with Puy or French lentils this dish is ideal to enjoy as a main with seasonal greens or as a side dish alongside chicken, fish, pork, or lamb. The leftovers make an extremely boujee brunch served alongside eggs as the dish is even better the next day.
Puy lentils have a slightly peppery taste and are packed with essential nutrients, fiber, B vitamins, and minerals essential to optimal health. Paired with the leek, celery and fennel seeds this recipe makes a wonderfully nourishing meal that is not only delicious but also extremely supportive to digestive health.
Ingredients
½ cup Puy (French) lentils, pre-soaked 8-12 hours
2 cups / 500ml chicken bone broth, stock or vegetable stock
6 large cloves of garlic, peeled
1 leek, chopped
2 sticks of celery, chopped
1 brown onion, chopped
1 Bay leaf
1 Tbs fennel seeds
1 Tbs Ghee, macadamia, or preferred cooking oil
1 400g Tin, chopped tomatoes
Salt & pepper to taste
Method
Drain and rinse the pre-soaked lentils then add them to a pot with the bone broth/ stock, garlic, and bay leaf. Cover & bring to a simmer then remove the lid and let gently simmer for 15 minutes.
Bring a casserole dish to a low- medium heat. Sauté the onion, celery and leek with the ghee or oil for 5 minutes or until soft and translucent. Add the fennel seeds and allow to cook until fragrant. Add the lentils with the cooking liquid, garlic, and bay to the vegetables with the tin of tomatoes and simmer for 25 - 30 minutes or until the tender & the sauces has reduced. Check and adjust the seasoning to your taste.
For the perfect texture it's important to season with salt once the lentils are fully cooked as adding salt during the cooking process tends to harden their texture once cooked.
Serve 4-6
Notes:
Pre-soak the lentils in filtered water with a splash of ACV or lemon juice this allows the phytic acid to break down making the nutrients of the lentils bio-available and allowing for easier digestion.
You don't need to be to particular or fine with you knife skills, this dish is wonderful when the vegetables are chopped a little rough to add diversity to the texture.
These braised lentils will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days otherwise they can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Explore more beautifully nutrient-dense recipes:
Beauty + Wellness insights by
Lara Fountain, Founder/CEOLara shares nourishing recipes and expert natural beauty and wellness insights to make living in your highest health effortless. Inspired by her wellness journey, expertise, and passion for enhancing bioavailability as a certified formulator and passionate cook.
Read the Latest natural beauty and wellness insights
Beauty Insights
-
![Vanessa Megan organic skincare formulations: Intensive Dermal Repair Balm, Aeon Azure Night Cream, and PH Balancing Cream Cleanser textures showcased by Intentionally Natural.]( "Vanessa Megan organic skincare formulations: Intensive Dermal Repair Balm, Aeon Azure Night Cream, and PH Balancing Cream Cleanser textures showcased by Intentionally Natural.")
Natural Skincare Benefits and How to Choose the Best Products
Jan 13, 2025At Intentionally Natural, we believe how you approach skincare is a reflection of your values and your commitment to nurturing your skin’s true radiance. Choosing natural skincare benefits both your...
VIEW MORE -
![Women holding the Beyond Night Cream for the Metamorphosis Revolutionary Skincare range for Menopausal Skin]( "Women holding the Beyond Night Cream for the Metamorphosis Revolutionary Skincare range for Menopausal Skin")
Metamorphosis Revolutionary Skincare for Menopausal Skin
Nov 15, 2024Metamorphosis skincare is the innovative creation of Vanessa Grey Lyndon, the visionary founder and formulator behind the beloved, multi-award-winning pioneering skin, hair, and beauty brand Vanessa Megan skincare. A performance-driven,...
VIEW MORE -
![Bakuchiol Oil Serum Sample]( "Bakuchiol Oil Serum Sample")
Bakuchiol Skincare Benefits
Oct 31, 2024Bakuchiol brings a range of skincare benefits, and in today’s ever-evolving skincare world, our ingredient choices matter. They shape our journey toward healthy, radiant skin. Among these, Bakuchiol stands out...
VIEW MORE
Health + Wellness Insights
-
![Hands Holding a calming cup of On Sundays herbal tea]( "Hands Holding a calming cup of On Sundays herbal tea")
Natural Ways to Lower Cortisol and Reduce Stress
Jan 8, 2025Cortisol, often referred to as the "stress hormone," plays a crucial role in the body's response to stress. However, when stress becomes chronic it can have a significant impact on...
VIEW MORE -
![ĀrepaThe brain drink powder in a smoothie]( "ĀrepaThe brain drink powder in a smoothie")
Meet Ārepa + Health Benefits
Aug 15, 2024Meet Ārepa, Aoteroa's very own health beverage brand, taking a natural approach to fueling the brain and body. By combining science and nature, Ārepa enhances your mental clarity and overall...
VIEW MORE -
![Dishpod starter kit unboxed with solid Dishpod detergent bar refill]( "Dishpod starter kit unboxed with solid Dishpod detergent bar refill")
Meet the Dishpod
Aug 11, 2024Sustainability is more than just a choice, it’s a intentional commitment to adopting better ways to protect our health and the planet. At Intentionally Natural, we see natural wellness as...
VIEW MORE
Simple nutrient dense food for all occasions
Recipes
-
![Glorious Golden Ghee bars on a gold tray and marble board in the Intentionally Natural kitchen – nutrient-rich and perfect for cooking, featured in Intentionally Natural NZ's recipe blog.]( "Glorious Golden Ghee bars on a gold tray and marble board in the Intentionally Natural kitchen – nutrient-rich and perfect for cooking, featured in Intentionally Natural NZ's recipe blog.")
Glorious Golden Ghee Recipe + Health Benefits
Jan 24, 2025Glorious Golden Ghee is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with skin-loving fat-soluble vitamins A, E, and K. Ghee is simply clarified butter, meaning its water and milk content has been removed...
VIEW MORE -
![The perfect bone broth recipes from the Intentionally Natural kitchen]( "The perfect bone broth recipes from the Intentionally Natural kitchen")
The Perfect Bone Broth Recipe + Health Benefits
Jan 22, 2025Bone broth is a nutritional powerhouse, packed with essential nutrients and vitamins. It’s a staple in our kitchen, adding a depth of flavor to dishes while promoting skin, joint, digestive,...
VIEW MORE -
![Ārepa and Cacao Raw Macaroons in the Intentionally Natual kitchen]( "Ārepa and Cacao Raw Macaroons in the Intentionally Natual kitchen")
Ārepa and Cacao Raw Macaroons Recipe
Sep 11, 2024My recipe for Ārepa and Chocolate Coconut Macaroons is just what you need to indulge your chocolate cravings. These nutrient-dense delights satisfy your sweet tooth while giving your brain a...
VIEW MORE
Your Highest Health is Our Highest Priority
What Sets Intentionally Natural Apart?
Discover Transparently Natural Beauty and Wellness Products
At Intentionally Natural, we go beyond conventional and clean beauty and wellness standards. To us, “natural” isn’t just a word used to greenwash or appeal to your desire for purity it’s a promise. That’s why we’re proud to be New Zealand’s only destination exclusively dedicated to offering 100% natural and organic beauty, health, and wellness products.
With our Natural Only Promise, every product we offer is entirely free of synthetics, toxins, and harmful ingredients, including so-called “nature identical” synthetics. When you choose to shop with Intentionally Natural, you’re not just selecting products that align purely with the power of nature, but you’re also prioritising your peace of mind.
Shop the Best in Natural Beauty, Health, and Wellness Products and experience the difference of truly natural wellness.
Prioritizing Transparency, Purity, and Your Highest Health
At Intentionally Natural, we’re a small, family-owned and operated, proudly New Zealand-based online store specializing in 100% natural beauty, health, and wellness products.
With decades of experience in the beauty industry, starting as a makeup artist and hairstylist, and now a certified natural skincare and cosmetics formulator, I founded Intentionally Natural to bring transparency to an industry often clouded by vague claims, flawed formulations, and grey areas. Navigating what's truly natural, safe, and effective can be overwhelming with so many options and misleading claims on the market.
That’s why we’ve made it our mission to ensure that every product we offer is transparently natural, featuring proven formulations with cruelty-free, ethically sourced, and sustainable ingredients. We prioritize purity so you can shop with confidence, knowing every item supports your natural beauty, health, and wellness.
Sustainability Made Effortless, With Your Well-Being in Mind
Based on Auckland’s stunning West Coast, we ensure every order is swiftly delivered to your door with carbon-neutral shipping, providing you with a sustainable, eco-conscious experience. For us, it wouldn’t make sense to offer exclusively natural products without treading lightly on the planet, which is why we’ve adopted a “nothing unnecessary” philosophy. This means we focus on simplicity and sustainability, so instead of sending you unnecessary marketing materials, we thoughtfully include samples of our beautiful naturals, each one carefully selected to enhance your experience.
As an exclusively online store, you can shop at your convenience, knowing that your choices are not only good for your well-being but also for the environment. We’re not here to make a fortune. Our goal is to create transparency by serving your highest health naturally, which is why you’ll never find us charging unfair prices or using scarcity tactics. At Intentionally Natural, you can shop with confidence, knowing that your purchase is fair, transparent, and won’t unfairly cost you or the Earth.
