Curried Coconut Lentils: Amazing 30-Min Comfort
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A comforting and flavorful dish of creamy curried lentils simmered in coconut milk with aromatic spices. This recipe is simple to prepare and perfect for a weeknight meal.
Author: Olivia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1 x
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Vegetarian
1 cup brown lentils (whole masoor dal)
3 cups water
2 tablespoons neutral high smoke point oil (sunflower)
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 medium finely chopped red onion
2 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
1 tablespoon peeled grated ginger
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon Indian chili powder or cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon garam masala
1 can (15-oz) full-fat coconut milk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Optional Toppings: Cooked rice, naan, flatbread, chopped fresh cilantro, dried grated coconut, roasted garlic or tomato achaar
Rinse the brown lentils thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear, then set them aside to drain.
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Sauté the finely chopped onions in the pot until they become translucent, roughly 5 minutes.
Add garlic and ginger, cooking for another 2 minutes until aromatic.
Stir in ground coriander, turmeric, and chili powder, cooking for another minute to release their flavors.
Add the rinsed lentils and water to the pot, bringing everything to a boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer until the lentils are tender, about 35-40 minutes.
Mix in the full-fat coconut milk and garam masala, allowing it to simmer for 5 more minutes.
Finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, tasting to adjust seasoning with salt as needed.
Serve hot over rice or with naan, adding optional toppings as desired.
Notes
For an extra creamy texture, blend a portion of the lentils before mixing in the coconut milk.
Adjust chili powder or cayenne pepper to your spice preference.
You can substitute brown lentils with green lentils, but adjust cooking time accordingly.
Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 300 kcal
Sugar: 5 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 10 g
Protein: 15 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg