# Squid & Lentil Curry Stew

Quick one-pot stew using expired canned squid and lentils from TB-17, both long overdue to be eaten.

> **Before cooking:** The lentil can is described as "heavily rusted" — inspect it carefully before opening. Discard if the seal is compromised, the contents smell off, or look/foam abnormally. Same for the squid tin.

## Ingredients

**From inventory (use first - expired):**
- [*] 💧 1 can squid `ID:squid-konva` (TB-17, EXPIRED 2025-02-18, 437d ago)
- [*] 1 can lentils `ID:lentils-italian` (TB-17, EXPIRED 2025-11-13, 169d ago)
- [ ] 1 tsp curry `ID:curry-sklavenitis` (F-13, EXPIRED 2025-11) — use this, it has more qty than curry-anatoli
- [ ] 1 tablet fish bouillon `ID:bouillon-fish` (F-01, EXPIRED 2025-01)

**From inventory:**
- [*] 2 tbsp olive oil `ID:oliveoil-costadoro`
- [*] 3–4 cloves garlic (fresh, pantry, bb ~2026-06)
- [ ] ½ tsp ground cumin `ID:cumin-mykouzina` (F-13)
- [*] ½ tsp smoked paprika `ID:paprika-smoked-kotanyi` (F-13, EXPIRED 2026-03 — check if still there)
- [ ] pinch chili `ID:chili-aladham`
- [*] black pepper `ID:pepper-black-harmony`

**Check fresh produce (estimated dates may be off):**
- [*] ½ red onion (est. EXPIRED 2026-03-29 — inspect before using; onions keep well)
- [*] squeeze of lemon (est. EXPIRED 2026-04-10 — inspect; lemons often fine past date)

**Optional:**
- [ ] orzo `ID:orzo-greek` — serve alongside or stir in
- [*] drizzle sesame oil `ID:sesameoil-greek` (bb:2026-07) to finish

**Needs shopping:**
- nothing required

## Equipment

- Stovetop pot or pressure cooker (no pressure needed — both cans are pre-cooked)
- No blender/processor needed

## Instructions

1. Drain and rinse the squid; cut into bite-sized rings if whole. Set aside.
2. Dissolve the fish bouillon tablet in 250ml hot water.
3. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté garlic (and onion if using) until soft, ~3 min.
4. Add curry, cumin, smoked paprika, and chili. Stir 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Drain and rinse the lentils. Add to pot along with the bouillon water.
6. Simmer 5 minutes to meld flavors.
7. Add squid. Simmer gently 8–10 minutes — don't boil hard or squid turns rubbery.
8. Taste, adjust salt/pepper. Add lemon juice if available.
9. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil off the heat.

**To serve with orzo:** Cook orzo separately in salted water, drain, serve stew over it or alongside.

## Variations

> **Note:** Traditional versions would use fresh squid and dried lentils; canned works fine here and is much faster. The fish bouillon is expired but dry — should still give good depth.

> **Note:** Sesame oil is non-traditional for a curry-style stew but complements squid well and is close to expiry (2026-07).

## Items used from inventory

| Item | ID | Location | Status |
|------|----|----------|--------|
| Canned cleaned squid | squid-konva | TB-17 | EXPIRED 2025-02-18 |
| Canned lentils (heavily rusted tin) | lentils-italian | TB-17 | EXPIRED 2025-11-13 |
| Curry powder | curry-sklavenitis | F-13 | EXPIRED 2025-11 |
| Fish bouillon tablets | bouillon-fish | F-01 | EXPIRED 2025-01 |
| Smoked paprika | paprika-smoked-kotanyi | F-13 | EXPIRED 2026-03 |

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*Generated 2026-05-01 to use expired squid and lentils from TB-17*