Red Lentil Curry Recipe
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Red Lentil Curry Recipe

👤 4 servings medium 🌍 Indian indianhealthyrecipes.com ↗

Swasthi's Red Lentil Curry is a delicious Indian-inspired dish that comes together in under 35 minutes with creamy, full-flavored results. This gluten-free curry can easily be made vegan and features red lentils simmered in a fragrant onion-tomato base with aromatic spices. Serve it over rice, quinoa, or flatbreads for a satisfying meal that works on the stovetop or instant pot.

Gluten-FreeVegetarianCurryStovetop

Ingredients

  • 1 cup red lentils
  • 2.5 cups water
  • 2.5 tablespoons oil
  • 1 sprig curry leaves
  • 3 inch cinnamon piece
  • 0.5 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 0.875 cup onions
  • 3 medium garlic cloves
  • 0.75 tablespoon ginger
  • 1 green chili
  • 1.75 cups tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 0.875 teaspoon garam masala
  • 2 teaspoons kasuri methi
  • 0.33 cup heavy cream
  • 2.5 tablespoons coriander leaves

Instructions

  1. Add red lentils to a pot and rinse them three times. Drain and pour water. Bring to a rolling boil on high heat and reduce to medium.
  2. Let cook until tender (al dente) for 10 minutes. If desired, skim the froth. Older lentils take longer to cook. While the lentils cook, chop and prepare the other ingredients.
  3. Heat oil or ghee in a medium pan. Add the whole spices, onions, green chilies, and curry leaves. Sauté until golden, about 8 minutes.
  4. Stir in ginger and garlic and sauté for a minute until aromatic.
  5. Stir in the curry powder, garam masala, and Kashmiri chili powder, followed by tomatoes and a splash of water if using fresh tomatoes. Cover and cook until the tomatoes break down.
  6. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture turns aromatic.
  7. Add the cooked red lentils along with the leftover stock or water. Mix well and add more water as needed, about 1/2 cup. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.
  8. If desired, mash some of the lentils with the back of a spoon for a creamier texture. Stir in kasuri methi and cream. Simmer for 2 minutes.
  9. Taste test and adjust seasoning as needed with more salt, garam masala, or black pepper for heat.
  10. Garnish with coriander leaves and squeeze lemon juice over the curry.
  11. Serve red lentil curry over rice or with naan, chapati, roti, or other flatbreads.

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