Today I made a one pot, gluten free, vegan meal that was ready in less than 30 minutes. It made planned leftovers, is very budget-friendly, is hearty and satisfying, and used up some things in my cupboard. And for a second made me think I went to Southeast Asia without leaving San Diego.
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Curried Ginger & Raisin Lentils
Ingredients
1 c dry Green Lentils (green lentils are much heartier and firmer than red which turn to mush much easier)
1/2 c Raisins
1.5 Tbsp Garam Masala seasoning
1 Tbsp Ground Ginger
1 Tsp Cumin
1 6-ounce can tomato paste (a 4-oz can or a fruity salsa would also work, or omit entirely) + add 1/2 c water or more to desired thickness
1 c diced Vegetables (I used carrots and broccoli stalks)
2 Tbsp EVOO (or coconut oil)
1 Tbsp Salt (optional)
1 Tbsp Sugar (optional)
Directions
Cook 1 cup dry lentils with 2 cups water on stovetop (Bring the lentils and water to a boil, then cover and reduce heat). Simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until about 85% of the water has been cooked off.
Add the remaining ingredients.
Stir, cover, and cook for another 10 minutes.
Serve (and optional garnish with raisins)
Yields: Dinner for 3, plus leftovers that will serve dinner for 3, again. Planned leftovers save lives.
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Here’s a Visual Guide
After cooking 15 minutes, 85% of the water was absorbed
Then add everything else
After stirring and simmering another 10 minutes the meal was ready
Garnish with raisins if you want to get fancy
The flavor of the garam masala which includes cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg, plus the additional ginger, combined with raisins worked wonderfully with the acidity of the tomato paste. For my palette, with lentils being somewhat “earthy” tasting, I find they can use plenty of flavoring and doctoring up. And flavored and doctored up is exactly what this recipe did, without being over-powering.
If you wanted to eat this in a pita pocket, on a bun or on bread, or use as a thick dip with chips, like pita chips or bruchetta-style bread rounds, it would definitely work.
Planned leftovers are a dinnertime salvation when I am gone and Scott has to heat something up and fend for himself and Skylar without me.
If you like the looks of these lentils, I’ve been on a lentil kick the past week.
Try the Chipotle Salsa Lentils with Mixed Vegetables
By using different spices you can take the flavor of lentils from Southwestern and smoky to Eastern/Asian and exotic.
From my last post about about my meetup with my friend Amber, I am glad most of you seem to get together with your friends regularly, too. It’s so important for the mind, body, and spirit!
And thanks for filling me in on your Valentine’s Day plans. Or lack thereof.
If you need something sweet to wash your lentils down with, try a Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter Oat Snack Bar
Questions:
1. What did you do for Valentine’s Day?
I ran errands, worked, cooked, blogged about it, was a Mommy, and life carried on as usual. There was nothing “special” about the 14th. But it was fun hanging out with Skylar and seeing her excited.
2. Do you like lentils?
I know I asked this before, but lately I’ve been on quite a kick.
3. Any recipes you’ve made or had your eye on with lentils?
Other lentil recipes I want to try
The PPK’s Original Snobby Joes
Sloppy Josephines (Both those recipes seem similar but I have yet to try either and would like to because I loved sloppy joes as a kid. Actually, I loved Manwich and I will admit to it.)
Angela has a lentil loaf
Christine has sprouted lentils
So many lentils, so much fiber so little time.
Oh heavens that looks delicious!!! Happy V Day a day late.
I love lentils! You should definitely try the snobby joes. They’re my favorite “sloppy joe” style recipe. I’m sure they beat manwich (although I’m not sure I’ve ever actually had it ..)
good to know, thank you! :)
You’ve really been rocking the one pot meals recently! Love it. I like lentils, though I forget about them. I’ve always wanted to make a lentil loaf. Maybe I should try Angela’s?
Have a good Tuesday!
one pot and EASY is where it’s at for me these days!
I worked (boo!) then drank wine and had dinner with the hubby (yay!) and watched “When Harry met Sally” for the first time (loved it!).
i do like lentils – i think it has something to do with my love for indian food! Aarti from the food network has a great soup recipe – butternut squash, coconut and lentils (or split peas?) – so easy, one pot, can serve with or without rice – super tasty :)
Skylar’s hair is getting so long and she looks so grown up! so cute as always <3 everytime I think i'm not ready for kids yet, i see her smiley face and re-think. haha!
well you will be an awesome mom if that day ever comes for you.
I told my hubbie no gifts but he surprised me with a card, my favorite salad that I haven’t had in 3 years, grilled apple and arugala, yummy! It is our anniversary too. Other than that Vday was work and mommy like normal. Thanks for another easy, fast, and healthy recipe, those are the kind I am loving lately. My family has totally been rockin your recipes lately…. if I can cook a meal while tending a 7 month old and a three year old its a keeper. We love your no bake protein bars, you are making my life easier, thanks for blogging!!!
thanks for telling me, and glad you’re liking everything!
I love Skylar’s long long hair! Wow!
I don’t eat many lentils, but I wish I did, they taste good and their nutritional stats are great! I just never think of buying them at the grocery store. I love this dish though, especially because it contains raisins and I love raisins!
V-Day was fun, but nothing super special — we had dinner (like we do every night!) and exchanged some gifts — but other than that it was like any other day!
yes it is getting soooo long, isnt it!
My mom ended up coming over last night to deliver goodies to the girls. Other than that, I wanted to call it an early night…our family (with the exception of myself and first born) have been sick :(
This recipe looks delicious! I have to try this soon! I just posted about my Vday, my boyfriend took me to NYC to a vegan, organic restaurant. It was delicious and very sweet for him to surprise me with such a nice date! Skylar’s hair is getting so long! She looks like repunzel with her gorgeous blonde locks!
Can you believe i’ve never cooked with lentils?! I order it out….eat beans/peas almost every day, and completely neglect the poor little lentils! This looks like a great recipe-love the addition of raisins, totally unexpected!
I love lentils! We sprouted them before and I loved the crunch they gave to things. I like them in burgers, stews and salads! I am so glad you guys had a good day yesterday! Skylar looks like she enjoyed the day! I hope today is a good one for you!
1.) I spent the day with Suave Slav and my parents.
Loving the lentil goodness! :)
I love anything with curry and ginger, so despite my irrational fear of cooking lentils I feel like this would be delicious!
I had a girls’ night for Valentine’s day. Me and Mike’s date was Sunday, and then yesterday was cupcakes and Indian food. I’m not a big Vday person, but it’s nice to have an excuse to hang out with the people you love and eat dessert!!
Looks delicious! We love lentils but don’t nearly cook them enough. This recipe looks great :)
I love lentils!! And girl, you know about my obsession with raisins…why did I not think of cooking with them?! Shame on me….
I love Skylar’s outfit in this picture! She dresses WAY better than I did as a child (mostly 4th-generation hand-me-downs from 1980 haha)!
I adore lentils. They’re probably my favorite legume. Sprouted lentils are amazing, pretty easy to make, and a great salad topper!