Red Curry Lentils With Sweet Potatoes and Spinach

Published January 6, 2020

Media 1 of 2
Total Time
1 hour
Rating
5(19,657)
Comments
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In this vegetarian main inspired by Indian dal, lentils are cooked with an aromatic blend of Thai spices — fresh ginger, turmeric, red curry paste and chile — then simmered in coconut milk until fall-apart tender. Browning the sweet potatoes before cooking them with the lentils brings out their sweetness, balancing the heat from the chile and curry paste, while baby spinach tossed in just before serving adds fresh flavor. Serve over steamed white or brown rice, or with toasted flatbread on the side.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1 pound sweet potatoes (about 2 medium sweet potatoes), peeled and cut into ¾-inch cubes

  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped

  • 3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste

  • 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tablespoon)

  • 1 (1-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated (about 1 tablespoon)

  • 1 red chile, such as Fresno or serrano, halved, seeds and ribs removed, then minced

  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 1 cup red lentils, rinsed

  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable stock

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste

  • 1 (13-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk

  • 1 (4- to 5-ounce) bag baby spinach

  • ½ lime, juiced

  • Fresh cilantro leaves, for serving

  • Toasted unsweetened coconut flakes, for serving (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 to 6 servings)

49 grams carbs; 6 milligrams cholesterol; 467 calories; 7 grams monosaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 15 grams saturated fat; 25 grams fat; 8 grams fiber; 931 milligrams sodium; 12 grams protein; 8 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a Dutch oven or pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high. Add the sweet potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer the browned sweet potatoes to a plate and set aside.

  2. Step 2

    Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pot and set the heat to medium-low. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the curry paste, garlic, ginger, chile and turmeric, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  3. Step 3

    Add the lentils, stock, salt and browned sweet potatoes to the pot and bring to a boil over high. Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are just tender, 20 to 25 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Add the coconut milk and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and the lentils are creamy and falling apart, 15 to 20 minutes.

  5. Step 5

    Add the spinach and stir until just wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Off the heat, stir in the lime juice and season with salt to taste.

  6. Step 6

    Divide among shallow bowls and top with cilantro and coconut flakes, if using.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
19,657 user ratings
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Comments

I made this in an instant pot. Browned the sweet potatoes in the IP using the sauté function, then cooked the onions in there too. Cooked the lentils and potatoes on high pressure for 12 minutes. Came out perfect.

@patricia Curry powder- Indian Curry paste- Thai Totally different flavors

Really great meatless meal option! Added 4 oz. baby Bella mushrooms and substituted 1 Tbsp sriracha sauce for the chili. Also, upped the lime juice to a whole lime because there’s never a happy ending for half a lime in my kitchen.

So easy and tasty. Subbed cayenne for Fresno/serrano and frozen steamer spinach. Whole family loved it.

Delicious! Made this with low fat coconut milk and it came out fine. I also had some leftover zucchini so I cut it into small cubes and added it at the midway point. I had some grated fresh turmeric in the freezer so i used about 1 tbsp fresh instead of the tsp of powder. Would make this again but maybe try instapot next time!

I feel like the recipe should advise on the spiciness… Normally I review comments beforehand but as luck would have it, this time I did not. Family wouldn’t eat.

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