Baked Eggplant; Lentil Stew: A Comforting Dinner for Menopause Wellness
Share
End your day with something warm and good for you. How about a bowl of Eggplant Stew Recipe or Aubergine and Tomato Stew? Think roasted eggplant, soft lentils, and yummy tomato broth, all cooked with great-smelling spices. It's more than just dinner; it's a plant-based menopause recipe that’s great if you're a woman going through perimenopause or menopause. This fits perfectly into a hormone-balancing meal plan or menopause diet recipes approach.
This stew is like a hug in a bowl, packed with fiber, things that fight cell damage, and heart-healthy fats. It’s a healthy recipe for hormone balance as your body changes.
Why You Should Eat This Stew During Menopause
When you're going through menopause, what your body needs changes. You need foods that help keep your hormones steady, lift your mood, and give you energy without being too heavy. This is why it’s a perfect addition to a hormone balance diet plan or a diet for balancing hormones.
That's where this stew comes in. With lentils, eggplant, and olive oil, it gives you fiber, protein, and antioxidants that all work together to help your hormones, digestion, and skin. It’s also ideal for a hormone-balancing meal or a hormone-friendly meal.
Plus, if you have it with a UMRI Wellness Drink, like the Passion Fruit & Peach one, you get a meal that’s both warm and fruity. A perfect hormone-balancing dinner or hormone-balancing lunch.
What You Need (For 4 People)
- Big eggplant*1, cut into cubes (for Baked Eggplant & Lentil Stew)
- Cup of lentils*1 (green or brown), rinsed (Lentil Stew for Menopause)
- Can of diced tomatoes*1 or 4 fresh tomatoes, chopped
- Onion*1, chopped small
- Cloves of garlic*3, minced
- Spoonfuls of olive oil*2
- Teaspoon of ground cumin*1
- Teaspoon of ground coriander*½
- Teaspoon of cinnamon*¼ (if you want)
- Cups of vegetable broth or water*3
- Salt and pepper
- Spoonful of lemon juice*1 (if you want)
- Fresh parsley or cilantro
How to Make It
Step 1: Roast the Eggplant
Heat your oven to 400°F.
Mix the eggplant cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Put them on a baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're golden brown and soft (for Baked Eggplant & Lentil Stew).
Mix the eggplant cubes with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Put them on a baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they're golden brown and soft (for Baked Eggplant & Lentil Stew).
Step 2: Cook the Lentils
Put the lentils and broth in a pot.
Bring it to a boil, then let it simmer for 20–25 minutes until the lentils are soft. Drain and set aside.
Bring it to a boil, then let it simmer for 20–25 minutes until the lentils are soft. Drain and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Stew
In a pot, cook the onion in olive oil until it's soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Stir in the cumin, coriander, and cinnamon.
Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the cooked lentils and roasted eggplant. Mix everything, add salt and pepper, and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes (for Baked Eggplant & Lentil Stew).
Stir in the cumin, coriander, and cinnamon.
Add the tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the cooked lentils and roasted eggplant. Mix everything, add salt and pepper, and let it simmer for 10–15 minutes (for Baked Eggplant & Lentil Stew).
Step 4: Serve
Put fresh parsley or cilantro on top.
Eat it as is, or with some whole-grain bread, quinoa, or brown rice (Meal Plan for Hormonal Imbalance, Meals to Balance Hormones).
Eat it as is, or with some whole-grain bread, quinoa, or brown rice (Meal Plan for Hormonal Imbalance, Meals to Balance Hormones).
What It Does for You During Perimenopause and Menopause
1. Eggplant: The Damage Fighter
From eggplant, you can easily get fiber and nutrients that may support gut health. It also helps manage blood sugar and offer antioxidants, which could play a role in skin and hormone support.
2. Lentils: Protein and Hormone Helper
Lentils give you protein and phytoestrogens, which may help ease menopause symptoms like hot flashes and fatigue.
3. Tomatoes: Good for Your Heart and Skin
Tomatoes provide lycopene and vitamin C, nutrients that protect your heart and support your skin's appearance.
4. Olive Oil: Good Fats for Hormones
Olive oil supplies healthy fats and vitamin E, which support hormone production and cardiovascular health. It also helps reduce inflammation.
5. Garlic and Onion: Natural Swelling Fighters
These help your blood move better and can ease hot flashes (Hormone Balancing Recipes, Hormone Balancing Meal Ideas).
Want a full meal? Have this stew with UMRI’s Passion Fruit & Peach Drink. It's sweet but not too high in calories. The stew supplies fiber and protein, while the UMRI drink may help you stay hydrated and support relaxation and hormone balance.
Extra Tips
- Add sweet potatoes or zucchini.
- Add chilli flakes if you want a little heat.
- Use red lentils.
- Make it Mediterranean by adding basil and lemon-infused olive oil (Best Hormone Balancing Diet, Cooking for Hormone Balance Recipes).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I make this ahead of time?
Yep! It’s good in the fridge for 3–4 days (Meal Prep for Hormone Balance).
Q2: Is this gluten-free?
Yes, it is. Not only is it gluten-free, but it is full of plant-based goodness.
Q3: Can I use canned lentils?
Sure, just rinse them and add them in the end.
Q4: Which UMRI drink is best with this?
Passion Fruit & Peach will be the best combo with it as it complements the earthy lentil stew perfectly with its bright, fruity notes.
In Conclusion
This Baked Eggplant & Lentil Stew is both comforting and good for you. It’s part of a healthy way of life that helps your hormones, digestion, and energy. Perfect as menopause lunch ideas, a hormonal imbalance diet plan, or a meal plan for hormone balance. Have it with a UMRI Wellness Drink!