I needed something to eat for lunch and the red lentils in the pantry got my attention. I literally threw these ingredients together without a plan, and was SO happy with the result. It’s hard to believe something this easy could be so flavorful. It was so good in fact that I included the dish in an Indian themed feast I cooked this past weekend. It was a big hit along with the Indian Spiced Cabbage, Roasted Aloo (potatoes), brown basmati rice and whole wheat flat bread.
Red lentils are great because in addition to being extremely healthy and low-fat, they are quick-cooking. They can be used in sauces to add fiber and protein, or as the main ingredient along with a few others such as the recipe here. Unlike brown/green lentils they break down easily, blending in with whatever else is in the dish. They also end up being more yellow in color, even though they are called red and start out more of an orange color. At 140 calories per cup (dry), 0 grams of fat, 7 grams of fiber and 11 grams of protein, red lentils are a great addition to the diet.
In this dish I used two different types of curry powder, but you don’t have to. Regular curry is the yellow/orange version you see in most stores. Different brands can taste different from each other, with some more mild than others. Madras curry is another type that is similar to regular but with more spice. Berbere curry is an Ethiopian version, that has a smokier scent/flavor and is much spicier than the others. Feel free to use whatever variety you have on hand, or a combination like I’ve done here. The measurements I used result in a mild dish. As I’ve said before, I’m a spice wimp.
Red Lentil Curry
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This dish is simple enough for a weeknight dinner and tasty enough for entertaining. Excellent served with basmati rice. Keep in mind that curry powders differ in flavor so experiment with different kinds. If you only have one type on hand, that's fine!
This dish is simple enough for a weeknight dinner and tasty enough for entertaining. Excellent served with basmati rice. Keep in mind that curry powders differ in flavor so experiment with different kinds. If you only have one type on hand, that's fine!
Rinse lentils in strainer until water is clear and no longer bubbly/sudsy.
Saute onion in large pot, using small amounts of water as it sticks.
Add garlic and spices to onion and cook 1-2 minutes, stirring to coat onion/garlic; add water as needed if sticking.
Add lentils, tomatoes, water and tamari to pot and stir. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer partially covered 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Simmer longer for deeper flavor.
Salt and pepper to taste and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
You can't beat the flavor of spices that you've ground yourself. I strongly recommend grinding your own cumin and coriander seeds if you can. Simply use a clean coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle. The flavor is unbeatable.
