Cajun Lentil Stew - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
3/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups water
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup brown lentils
1 (15 ounce) can tomatoes
1/3 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1/8 teaspoon pepper (to taste)
2 cups chopped zucchini

Preparation

In a 3-quart saucepan, saute the onion and garlic in oil until tender.
Add water and bay leaf; bring to a boil.
Stir in lentils and return to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes, breaking them up; add wine, tomato paste, sugar, basil, oregano, thyme, salt and pepper.
Bring stew to a boil; then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes; add zucchini and simmer 15 minutes more.
Discard bay leaf before serving.
Serve over grilled slices of polenta or steamed brown rice, if desired.