This coconut lentil curry recipe comes collectively in simply half-hour with pantry staples and leafy greens. It’s excellent for busy weeknights once you need a satisfying wholesome dinner!
My repertoire of quick and straightforward dinner concepts is one thing I’ve been engaged on for years. It’s a relentless problem, attempting to determine these standbys which might be fast, wholesome, and scrumptious all on the identical time!
This coconut lentil curry comes from an concept I had one night time attempting to resolve how one can 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 turn out to be a fan favourite! Right here’s how one can 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 positively be utilizing it usually.” -Chrissy
“Nice recipe. Easy however tremendous flavorful, at all times have the components within the pantry. I am going again to this usually for weeknight dinners.” -Jen
Key Components You’ll Want
This coconut lentil curry is a fast method 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. Crimson lentils have a tendency break down right into a extra mushy texture: I’d suggest utilizing them in my Crimson Lentil Curry recipe as a substitute.
- Coconut Milk: Full-fat coconut milk is crucial for the silky sauce. I’ve examined this recipe with mild coconut milk, and whereas it really works, the sauce gained’t have the identical texture. When you want a sub, see my publish about substitutes for coconut milk in curry.
- Thai Crimson 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 artistic based mostly on what’s accessible. Child spinach is the best 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 purple curry paste. Thai curry paste has superbly recent 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 purple curry paste on Amazon.
Serving This Lentil Curry
I often serve this curry over basmati rice to absorb the curry sauce. When you’re in search of 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’ll be able to add a splash of water or coconut milk when reheating. Reheat on the stovetop.
For meal prep , you’ll be able to 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.
Incessantly Requested Questions
Sure, however they’ll cook dinner sooner and break down right into a softer texture. Crimson lentils usually want solely 12-Quarter-hour of cooking time, so watch them fastidiously to keep away from overcooking. I choose this Crimson Lentil Curry recipe for purple lentils.
Thai purple curry paste is offered in most grocery shops within the worldwide aisle. When you completely can’t discover it, you would substitute Indian curry powder, although the flavour profile will probably be fairly completely different. Use about 2 tablespoons of curry powder mixed with a teaspoon of grated recent ginger.
It will depend on your curry paste model. Thai Kitchen model affords a really gentle 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 crucial to this recipe’s taste and texture. For a coconut-free model, you would use half and half or heavy cream to style.
Lentils are achieved once they’re tender however nonetheless maintain their form. After about 20 minutes of boiling, style one; it ought to be gentle all over. In the event that they’re nonetheless agency, proceed cooking and checking each jiffy.
Coconut Lentil Curry with Greens
This Coconut Lentil Curry is a 30 minute straightforward dinner concept that’s wholesome and stuffed with taste; it’s a plant based mostly recipe flavored with Thai curry paste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Prepare dinner Time: 20 minutes
- Whole Time: half-hour
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Class: Fundamental Dish
- Technique: Stovetop
- Delicacies: Thai Impressed
Components
- 2 cups raw white or brown basmati rice, to serve (or On the spot 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 purple curry paste
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Recent floor black pepper
Directions
- Make the rice in line with Methods to Prepare dinner Basmati Rice (or On the spot Pot Rice).
- Place the lentils in a saucepan with 6 cups heat water. Convey 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’ll be able to 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 brilliant inexperienced.
- When the lentils are achieved, add them to the skillet with the greens. Over medium excessive warmth, stir within the coconut milk, Thai purple curry paste, tomato paste, kosher salt, and recent floor black pepper. Prepare dinner for a couple of minutes till heated by way of and the sauce is thickened.
- Style and add a couple of pinches of salt if desired. Serve with rice.
