Lentil Spinach Stew with Onion Salad and Whole Wheat Bread

Ingredients

• 2 pcs sweet onion (medium, thinly sliced into rings)
• ice cubes (for soaking)
• 4 cup water (cold, for soaking)
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 0.5 tsp paprika (for color)
• 0.5 tsp sugar (to balance tanginess)
• 0.25 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp parsley (fresh, finely chopped)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the onions

   • Peel the sweet onions and slice them into thin, uniform rings. A mandoline slicer works best for this.
   • Gently separate the rings with your fingers and place them in a large bowl.
2. 2

   Soak for crispness

   • Add ice cubes and cold water to the bowl, ensuring the onion rings are fully submerged.
   • Let them soak for 15 minutes. This crucial step makes the onions crisp and mellows their sharp flavor.
3. 3

   Drain and dry

   • After soaking, drain the onions completely using a colander.
   • Gently pat the onion rings dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove excess moisture.
4. 4

   Season and toss

   • Transfer the dry onion rings to a clean mixing bowl.
   • Drizzle with apple cider vinegar and sprinkle with paprika, sugar, black pepper, and salt.
   • Add the chopped fresh parsley.
   • Toss gently until the rings are evenly coated.
5. 5

   Serve immediately

   • Serve the onion salad immediately to enjoy its maximum crispness and fresh flavor.
   • It is an excellent topping for burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken sandwiches.

Ingredients

• 3.5 cup whole wheat flour (plus more for dusting)
• 1.25 cup warm water (105-115°F or 40-46°C)
• 2.25 tsp active dry yeast (one standard packet)
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
• 1.5 tsp salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Activate the yeast

   • In a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the warm water, honey, and active dry yeast.
   • Stir gently and let it sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy and bubbly. This indicates the yeast is active.
2. 2

   Mix the dough

   • Add the melted butter, salt, and 3 cups of whole wheat flour to the yeast mixture.
   • Using a dough hook on low speed or a wooden spoon, mix until a shaggy dough forms.
   • Gradually add the remaining 0.5 cup of flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl. You may not need all of it.
3. 3

   Knead the dough

   • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until it's smooth and elastic.
   • If using a stand mixer, knead with the dough hook for 6-8 minutes on medium-low speed.
   • The dough should spring back when you press it lightly with a finger.
4. 4

   First rise

   • Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough inside, turning it once to coat.
   • Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap.
   • Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 60-90 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
5. 5

   Shape the loaf and second rise

   • Gently punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
   • Shape the dough into a rectangle about 8 inches wide, then roll it up tightly into a log.
   • Pinch the seam and ends to seal. Place the loaf, seam-side down, into a greased 8.5x4.5 inch loaf pan.
   • Cover and let it rise again for 30-45 minutes, or until the dough has risen about 1 inch above the rim of the pan.
6. 6

   Bake the bread

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) during the last 15 minutes of the second rise.
   • Bake the loaf for 30-35 minutes, until it's golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
   • The internal temperature should be around 190-200°F (88-93°C).
   • If the top browns too quickly, you can tent it with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
7. 7

   Cool and slice

   • Remove the bread from the pan immediately and place it on a wire rack to cool completely.
   • Allow it to cool for at least 1 hour before slicing. This prevents the bread from being gummy.