Lentil chili with merguez

  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

February 4, 2010
 


Lentil chili with merguez



Total time: 1 hour, 20 minutes

Servings: Makes 16 to 20 (1-cup) servings

Note: Merguez sausage can generally be found at gourmet and cooking supply stores. Harissa can generally be found at gourmet and cooking supply stores, as well as select well-stocked supermarkets.

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced lengthwise

2 teaspoons chopped ginger

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

Zest of 2 lemons

2 sticks cinnamon

4 teaspoons cumin

4 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 tablespoon turmeric

1 teaspoon cardamom

1/4 cup tomato paste

Juice of 1 lemon, more to taste

3 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes

2 pounds fresh merguez sausage, casings removed and crumbled