Description
A comforting and earthy red lentil curry that’s simple to make and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tablespoon oil (vegetable or olive oil)
- 1 large onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 inch fresh ginger (grated)
- 1 teaspoon cumin (ground)
- 1 teaspoon coriander (ground)
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric (ground)
- 1 pinch chili powder (optional)
- 1 liter vegetable broth (or water)
- 1 cup red lentils (rinsed)
- 1 can (13 oz) coconut milk (full-fat preferred)
- to taste salt (adjust as needed)
- optional for garnish fresh cilantro (chopped)
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering and fragrant.
- Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring often, until translucent and soft—about 5 minutes. The onions should turn a light golden color and smell sweet and inviting.
- Stir in the minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking for another minute until fragrant, filling your kitchen with a spicy, fresh aroma.
- Add the ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder. Toast the spices for 30 seconds, until aromatic and slightly darker, which helps unlock their full flavor.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Add the rinsed red lentils to the boiling broth. Stir once, then reduce the heat to a simmer, keeping the pot partially covered.
- Let the lentils cook gently for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. You’ll see them soften and start to break down, turning the sauce velvety and thickening the curry.
- Check the lentils—they should be tender and falling apart slightly. The sauce should coat the back of a spoon with a rich, warm hue.
- Stir in the coconut milk and season with salt to taste. Allow the curry to simmer for another 5 minutes, which helps meld the flavors and add creaminess.
- Turn off the heat and let the curry rest for a few minutes. This enhances the depth of flavor and thickens the sauce further.
- Serve hot over cooked rice or with warm bread, garnished with chopped cilantro if desired. Enjoy the comforting, earthy flavors of this simple red lentil curry.
Notes
- This curry can be adjusted to your taste by adding more or less spices.
- Pair with rice or bread for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 0mg