Finely chop onions. Heat a medium-sized pan to medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil and margarine. Add onions and sauté on medium heat for 5 mins, until onions soften slightly. Lower heat to medium-low and cook for 20 minutes, then add a pinch of salt. Continue cooking on low heat for another 10-20, until they have browned and caramelized. Add ½ Tb of sugar in the last 5 minutes, and raise heat to medium.

While onions are cooking, chop carrots, potatoes, and peppers finely. Bring a large pot to medium-high heat, add 3 tablespoons of oil and vegetables. Sauté until veggies heat slightly, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes. Cover with lid and lower heat to medium-low, let cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add red lentils and enough water to cover the mixture, plus one inch. Let cook for 2 minutes. Cut garlic cloves in half. Add garlic, spices, and tomato paste. Cover and let cook on low-medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Taste and adjust flavourings. Add the juice of ½ a lemon. Taste again. If lentils and vegetables are not cooked through, cover and cook on low heat for another 10-15 minutes.

Top stew with caramelized onions and vegan cumin crema.

To make cumin crema:

Mix 3 tablespoons of vegan sour cream with 1 finely chopped garlic clove, 2 teaspoon of cumin, one teaspoon of soy or almond milk, and ½ a teaspoon of lemon juice. Taste, and adjust seasonings as necessary, adding more lemon juice or a splash of more milk if mixture is too thick.