It seems a little strange to be writing this recipe for Smokey Lentils with Harissa Roast Cauliflower and Aubergine as I’m currently sitting in the last sweltering Summer heat of Spain, but as the mornings are starting to get a little cooler and the nights darker both here in the UK, which, somehow seems almost impossible after the long and unusually hot summer we experienced this year (I’m not complaining at all!) it almost seems therapeutic to write.
I’ve always loved the changing seasons, there is something almost refreshing about it and, of course, naturally my food changes as the seasons do. Does anyone else do this?
Change their diet based on the time of year? As you know I’m all about championing locally grown and organic produce where possible and that means eating with the seasons!
As Autumn starts to rear its head, my food veers towards comforting one-pot wonder dishes and simple winter-warming plates of delicious bowls of goodness. It’s like the world is giving me permission to indulge in huge pots of stews, dahls, curries and soups and my heart (and belly) could not be happier.
This dish is one that always brings a smile to my face as it pops up in my catalogue of recipes each year. I first created these delicious smoky lentils with my friends and fellow bloggers and cookbook authors Sara aka Shiso Delicious and Bettina from Bettina’s Kitchen while we were on a little getaway in the Herefordshire countryside last year.
We cooked delicious dishes, traded food photography secrets and had the most fun sleeping in a proper yurt!! Honestly, so fun – and super cute. This dish was a completely impromptu meal made with the random ingredients we brought with us but sometimes I find that the best meals are created that way – it just means you have to get a little more creative in the kitchen, and it paid off massively.
So much so that I just had to recreate it at home and share it with all of you, as I know you are going to love it as much as I do. I love to make this dish as soon as the leaves start to turn brown, I serve it with a fresh cabbage salad for extra texture and crunch and dollop with coconut yoghurt to balance out the spice from the harissa and add a creamy element.
The base takes a little while and a few ingredients to put together, but once it’s all simmering away nicely, it cooks itself so you can sit back and breathe in all those wonderfully rich and earthy flavours (and pour yourself a nice glass of vino!).
Lentils are actually one of my favourite ingredients as they are low in calories, rich in iron and an excellent source of protein, plus they can bulk out so many different types of dishes making them the ultimate store cupboard essential to stock up on (you can find out more about what store cupboard ingredients I think should be in your kitchen at all time, and what recipes you can create with them, on this blog post here)
You can use split red lentils or whole red lentils for this dish – both are absolutely delicious. The whole red lentils give a coarser texture, and the split ones a creamier one but both work perfectly. Why not try both and experiment to see what one you prefer. You can also use up any leftover veggies you have in your fridge.
Pop in some cauliflower, courgette, aubergine or peppers to really get the most out of this dish and help combat any food waste. If you can’t get hold of harissa paste, you can make your own, or use siracha or an alternative hot sauce.
Alternatively, if you don’t like spiced dishes, feel free to leave out and just season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper. I absolutely love spicy food after travelling around the Middle East for many years, so I tend to always slather harissa paste onto everything and anything I can!
If you like this recipe, why not give one of my other lentil recipes a try?
My Smokey Puy Lentils, Beetroot Hummus and Quinoa Flatbreads always go down a treat and utilise store cupboard ingredients.
Or why not try a Warm Winter Salad that uses up all your leftover roasted vegetables topped with puy lentils and toasted hazelnuts for the perfect winter warmer dish with a difference.
Or how about a brand-new recipe – Smokey Lentil and Walnut Bolognese with Crispy Roast Potatoesthe perfect combination of rich, comfort and delicious.
I really hope you love this delicious dish as much as I do; make sure to post and tag with @rebelrecipes #rebelrecipes if you make this dish so I can see and repost your gorgeous creations!
I'd love to know if you made this recipe.
Use #RebelRecipes and tag @RebelRecipes
Did you know that I have a new cookbook?
It's called Rebel Recipes and I'm so proud of it. If you like my recipes I know you'll love my cookbook - It took me over a year to develop (and years in the making) and it's packed with deliciously vibrant veg packed recipes!

Omg. I am dribbling
Hi Ruth
Oh no/yes!! He he
Love
Niki x
What is the harissa dressing, did you leave that out by accident (step 1)?
Hi Katie
Do you mean the ingredients?
The formatting went a bit strange – should be find now.
Let me know if not.
Best
Niki x
Still not able to see the ingredients for the harissa dressing! 🙁
Hi Linda
Sorry you can’t see it, it’s
1.5 tbsp harrisa paste
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
Juice 1 lemon.
Hope that helps.
Love
Niki xx
Thanks Niki I see the dressing recipe I think I meant for the harissa paste. Is it just store bought?
Hi Linda
Yes it is xx
This was delicious! Even got the meat eaters in the house to have seconds.
Fantastic! So happy
Xx
It’s a fab easy recipe which you can tailor to vegan, meat or veggie. It’s deffo on our menu, regular!
So happy you like Maggie!
Xx
what temp do you roast veg on ?
Hi Nicci
It’s 180c
Much love
Niki x
Confused. Is the chopped ancho chili added to the onions or cooked separately? Or when it says add everything to the mini blender does that mean add the chili AND the saúted onion and garlic. What does the ancho chili paste consist of?
Hey
I’ve made this a bit clearer now.
Hope it helps xx
hi, looks great. Would like to give it a try, but can’t find oven temperature….Any suggestion?
Hi Eliza
It’s 180c
Much love
Niki x
“Add everything to a mini chopper/blender or pestle and mortar and blitz or crush to a paste.” What ingredients do you mean by everything?
Hi Diane
I’ve made this a bit clearer now.
Hope it helps xx
Is roasting temperature mentioned, or did I miss it somehow?
Hi Judy
It’s 180c
Much love
Niki x
[…] See full recipes here […]
Made this tonight. Delicious … but not sure how you get a 10 minute prep time?! Took much longer.
So glad you like!
Hmmm, I agree. I’ll amend.
Love
Niki xx
Just did my first one… Very nice taste.
I replaced the ancho with Chipotle (didn’t have ancho) and it got that mild smokey flavor.
Also, I would recommend pumping up the Harisa marinade so there is enough to cover the veggies. I ran slightly on the shorter side…..
Prep time was indeed about 10-15 minutes (making the Harisa and cutting the eggplant and colliflower).
the rest of the prep was done during cooking so I didn’t count it.
Lentils required about 5-6 cups in total as I had to add during cooking. But maybe I was on higher heat….
I will definitely make this recipe again several times
Thanks so much, great notes.
Happy you like
Niki x
[…] another amazing source of veggie inspiration, including this winter warming recipe for smokey lentils and harissa roasted cauliflower packed full of flavour from the smokey lentils and a bit of a kick from a homemade chilli paste. […]
What could I sub for the and go chilli?
Hi Lucy
If you can’t find, sub for chipotle or 1/2 tsp chilli flakes and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
Xx
Hi Nikki
I have been trying to source whole red lentils to no avail. Where could I find them?
Hi Jane
Split red is absolutely perfect as well!
Love
Niki x
This looks fantastic and perfect for me! Just wondering if the lentils are dried or pre-soaked from a can? I can never get my lentils to cook that quickly! Also how do you think the flavour will change if I use black lentils?
Hi Katie
So happy you like.
If you use dried red split lentils they are very quick to cook and work well.
The flavour will be more earthy with black (and longer to cook if dried) but I’m sure it would be delicious!
My best
Niki xx
Beautiful recipe! Thank you. I did put some extra vegetables with the lentils because we’re with big eaters (pointed sweet pepper and spinach). Lovely rich taste. It’s a keeper!
Great addition!
So happy you liked.
Love
Niki xxx
[…] cauliflower harissa pasta (recipe adapted from Rebel Recipes) […]
I tried this tonight with green lentils since I didn’t have red and I roasted some carrots in addition to the aubergine and cauliflower – turned out to be delicious! Thank you for posting this recipe 🙂
Fantastic news! So happy
Love
Niki xxx
I made this tonight for dinner (and leftovers for lunch tomorrow!) and I added a can of coconut milk to the lentils. So yummy! Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Britt
What a brilliant idea!
So happy you liked
Love
Niki xx
I made this, swapping soy sauce for the tamari, swapping a generous 1/2 tsp of chipotle powder for the ancho (added with other dried spices), and leaving out the coconut yogurt.
So, so good! Thank you – just an excellent combination of flavors, and so healthy.
Love your swaps!
So happy you liked it.
love
Nikixxx
So tasty! Ended up using a combo of green + pardina lentils based on what I had on hand along with a variety of cherry tomatoes and smaller aubergine from my garden.
Also took a chance swapped the black pepper for aleppo pepper since we like a bit more heat. No regrets👌🏻
Wow! That sounds amazing
Love
Niki xx
Just made this- absolutely delicious! Thanks so much
So happy you like Jules!
Love
Niki xxx
Have just made this and it looks amazing, thank you!
So happy you like!
Love
Niki xxx
Wondering if you used a dried ancho chili …
Hi Chris
Yes I dd
My best
Niki
Thank you for this it was really delicious. I didn’t have Harrisa or cherry tomatoes so made it with leftover marinade from https://uk.veganuary.com/recipes/baked-tofu and a tin of chopped tomatoes. I also misread the tamari as tamarind paste which gave it an interesting sweetness. I’ll definitely make it again and try some of your other recipes.
Glad you like Mark!
Best
Niki x
This looks amazing! Is the ancho chili dried or is it a poblano pepper?
Hi Jess!
Yes its dried.
Love
Niki xxx
This was delicious! It was such a great combination of flavour and texture. My everything eating husband was mightily impressed. A triumph.
Hi Julie
Fantastic!
So happy to hear
xxxx
This looks delicious! Is it able to be frozen?
Thanks 🙂
Hi Harriet
The lentils can definitely be frozen.
Much love, Niki xxx
[…] Source by taikavera […]
This is really delicious! It says it served 4 however we are big eaters in my house so it only went between 3. Will definitely make again!
Hi Hannah
Fantastic to hear! I dont blame you.
Love
Niki xxx