This coconut lentil curry recipe comes collectively in simply half-hour with pantry staples and leafy greens. It’s excellent for busy weeknights while you desire a satisfying wholesome dinner!
My repertoire of quick and simple dinner concepts is one thing I’ve been engaged on for years. It’s a relentless problem, making an attempt to determine these standbys which might be fast, wholesome, and scrumptious all on the similar time!
This coconut lentil curry comes from an concept I had one evening making an attempt to determine use some kale. I added some lentils and a can of coconut milk I had on-hand, threw in some curry paste, and it turned out so tasty that I needed to share it right here. Quick ahead a couple of years and this coconut lentil curry recipe has gone on to grow to be a fan favourite! Right here’s make it in your kitchen.
5 Star Reader Evaluations
“All I can say is MMMMM, MMMMM, MMMMM!!! Served it over rice…. completely AMAZING!!! Thanks for this recipe, I’ll undoubtedly be utilizing it typically.” -Chrissy
“Nice recipe. Easy however tremendous flavorful, all the time have the substances within the pantry. I am going again to this typically for weeknight dinners.” -Jen
Key Elements You’ll Want
This coconut lentil curry is a fast solution to get to one thing on the desk that tastes prefer it’s been cooking all day! This isn’t an genuine Indian or Thai curry, only a curry impressed dish that’s a quick dinner concept. Right here’s what you’ll want:
- Lentils: I usually use brown or inexperienced lentils for this recipe as a result of they maintain their form. Pink lentils have a tendency break down right into a extra mushy texture: I’d advocate utilizing them in my Pink Lentil Curry recipe as an alternative.
- Coconut Milk: Full-fat coconut milk is important for the silky sauce. I’ve examined this recipe with gentle coconut milk, and whereas it really works, the sauce received’t have the identical texture. When you want a sub, see my put up about substitutes for coconut milk in curry.
- Thai Pink Curry Paste: That is your taste powerhouse. Slightly goes a good distance; three tablespoons is my candy spot for taste with out an excessive amount of. The paste retains for months within the fridge.
- Tomato Paste: I like utilizing tomato paste so as to add one other taste layer.
- Leafy Greens: That is the place you may get inventive primarily based on what’s obtainable. Child spinach is the simplest choice and it wilts in minutes. Kale and Swiss chard want their stems eliminated and leaves chopped, however they add a heartier texture.
About Thai Curry Paste
The key to this coconut lentil curry is utilizing Thai crimson curry paste. Thai curry paste has fantastically contemporary flavors: garlic, lemongrass, and ginger to make whipping up curry recipes a breeze. Seize a jar from the shop within the worldwide aisle, and it retains for months within the fridge.
Some Thai curry pastes are spicy and a few don’t have an excessive amount of warmth. My favourite model of Thai curry paste is Thai Kitchen, and it doesn’t add a lot warmth to the general dish. When you can’t discover it at your native grocery, right here’s a hyperlink to Thai Kitchen crimson curry paste on Amazon.
Serving This Lentil Curry
I often serve this curry over basmati rice to absorb the curry sauce. When you’re searching for some selection, this curry is equally scrumptious spooned over quinoa, cauliflower rice, and even with garlic naan bread.
Whereas it’s not an genuine pairing, generally it’s good to have a inexperienced salad like a easy butter lettuce salad. You can additionally serve it with sautéed inexperienced beans or pan fried broccoli.
Storage and Reheating
Retailer leftover coconut lentil curry in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. The sauce will thicken because it sits, so you may add a splash of water or coconut milk when reheating. Reheat on the stovetop.
For meal prep , you may even make a double batch and portion it into particular person containers. You can too freeze this curry for as much as 3 months, although the feel of the greens turns into extra soggy after thawing (utilizing kale would maintain up higher to freezing than spinach).
Dietary Notes
This lentil curry recipe is vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Sure, however they’ll cook dinner sooner and break down right into a softer texture. Pink lentils usually want solely 12-Quarter-hour of cooking time, so watch them rigorously to keep away from overcooking. I want this Pink Lentil Curry recipe for crimson lentils.
Thai crimson curry paste is obtainable in most grocery shops within the worldwide aisle. When you completely can’t discover it, you might substitute Indian curry powder, although the flavour profile can be fairly totally different. Use about 2 tablespoons of curry powder mixed with a teaspoon of grated contemporary ginger.
It is determined by your curry paste model. Thai Kitchen model provides a really delicate warmth. When you’re delicate to spice, begin with 2 tablespoons of curry paste and add extra to style. The coconut milk helps mellow the warmth considerably.
Coconut milk is important to this recipe’s taste and texture. For a coconut-free model, you might use half and half or heavy cream to style.
Lentils are executed once they’re tender however nonetheless maintain their form. After about 20 minutes of boiling, style one; it ought to be mushy all through. In the event that they’re nonetheless agency, proceed cooking and checking each couple of minutes.
Coconut Lentil Curry with Greens
This Coconut Lentil Curry is a 30 minute simple dinner concept that’s wholesome and filled with taste; it’s a plant primarily based recipe flavored with Thai curry paste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Prepare dinner Time: 20 minutes
- Whole Time: half-hour
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Class: Predominant Dish
- Methodology: Stovetop
- Delicacies: Thai Impressed
Elements
- 2 cups raw white or brown basmati rice, to serve (or Prompt Pot basmati rice)
- 2 cups brown or inexperienced lentils
- 8 cups chopped leafy greens: spinach, kale, or chard
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 13.5-ounce can coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons Thai crimson curry paste
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Recent floor black pepper
Directions
- Make the rice in line with Easy methods to Prepare dinner Basmati Rice (or Prompt Pot Rice).
- Place the lentils in a saucepan with 6 cups heat water. Deliver to a low boil, then boil for about 20 minutes till tender (style to evaluate doneness). Drain, then add a couple of pinches of salt.
- In the meantime, wash the greens, take away the stems and chop the leaves. (If utilizing prewashed child spinach, you may skip this step.) In your largest skillet, warmth the olive oil over medium excessive warmth. Add the greens and sauté for a number of minutes till tender and shiny inexperienced.
- When the lentils are executed, add them to the skillet with the greens. Over medium excessive warmth, stir within the coconut milk, Thai crimson curry paste, tomato paste, kosher salt, and contemporary floor black pepper. Prepare dinner for a couple of minutes till heated by and the sauce is thickened.
- Style and add a couple of pinches of salt if desired. Serve with rice.
