With just seven ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, the best and easiest curried lentil stew is just 30 minutes away. Make-ahead awesome, simple, and satisfying. {Vegan, gluten-free}
Fans of lentils, meet the ultimate, quick-and-easy comfort food dish. I know that with the flip of the March calendar, we’re starting to look ahead to spring greens and lighter fare, but this one is just too good to leave until fall. And honestly, it’s comforting, but not heavy, and it’s an awesome canvas for further treatment. I won’t be abandoning it for salads any time soon, lol.
This recipe was such a happy accident. When I test a recipe for da blog, I often make it — or parts of it — the day before, both to save time in general, and also to test its make-ahead-ability.
This recipe was intended just to be the base for another recipe — and it is; that recipe coming soon! — but I wasn’t expecting it to be its own delicious thang.
Minimal-ingredient dishes isn’t a focus of this blog, nor is it the way I cook for myself, so when I spied the recipe on Food52, I was expecting just a nice, utility dish. I immediately tweaked it in preparation for the lentil recipe I ultimately wanted this to become — still just seven ingredients, a tiny bit of prep (chop an onion!), and 20 minutes at the stove.
Wowsers. I’m a curry spice blend addict anyway, but I love how such a simple ingredient can effortlessly elevate a dish to a whole new level. With some tomato paste and smoked paprika for added umami — ooolala.
The recipe was also a great excuse to use my favorite lentil, the black beluga lentil. Tiny and plump, they cook into lentil perfection, tender but firm. You can also use French Du Puy lentils, which are generally easier to find than the belugas, but I wouldn’t recommend red, green, or brown lentils, which will likely cook down to mush.
It was delicious straight from the pot, but an overnight stay in the fridge let it bloom into something truly craveable. And that’s how a base for another recipe became worthy of a blog post all on its own.
If you love lentils, or are trying to convince someone to love lentils, this is the recipe to start with.
I can eat this right out of the bowl and be happy, but serve it with a side of rice and a green salad, and you have a meat-free meal even carnivores will love!
Karen xo
Curried Lentil Stew
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil plus a little extra
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons mild curry powder
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 1/3 cups black beluga lentils or French Du Puy lentils, picked over for stones or debris
- 6 cups very hot water keep it simmering on low in a small pot on the stove
- Kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat, until shimmering. Saute the onions in the oil until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Scootch the onions to one side, and add a quick pour of extra virgin olive oil to the cleared spot. Spoon the tomato paste, curry powder, and paprika over the oil, and stir until very fragrant (just 30 seconds or so).
- Mix the spice paste into the onions. Add the lentils, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and then add two ladles of the hot water, stirring well. Let the lentils absorb most of the water, and add two more ladles of water, stirring well. Repeat, until the lentils are tender, but not mushy (i.e., they should be al dente). The stew should be slightly saucy, but not at all soupy, Taste, and add salt as needed.
- Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Adapted from Sabrina Ghayour via Food52
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Trevor
Monday 17th of April 2017
Why not some of that fantastic veggie stock in lieu of water?
SoupAddict
Monday 17th of April 2017
You absolutely can! :) But, the extra flavor boost is not really needed because the curry is so flavorful itself.
Rocky Mountain Woman
Wednesday 8th of March 2017
Several of my favorite bloggers have lentil recipes up, so I guess I'll just have to make some! This looks lovely.
On another note, I adopted two kittens (brothers) a few months ago from our local shelter and I am smitten! I've had dogs and horses for years but this is my first time with cats. I can't get over how sweet and affectionate they are. I'm hooked!!!
SoupAddict
Wednesday 8th of March 2017
I was a total dog person until I moved to a neighborhood with a sizable feral cat population. A mama cat that decided I was an acceptable humie brought her newborn kittens to live under my deck, and, that was all she wrote. My intention had been to vet the kittens after they were weaned and find them homes, but when the time came, I just couldn't let them go. Soooo sweet. They all have different personalities, but they're goofy, affectionate, adorable ... and master human manipulators. I can't say no to any of them. ;)
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
Wednesday 8th of March 2017
I'm a curry spice blend addict AND a lentil addict. This looks absolutely delicious!
SoupAddict
Wednesday 8th of March 2017
Thanks, Kelsie! There's nothing better than spiced lentils in my book! :)
Laurel
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
This stew looks SO flavorful. I love the warming spices and can't wait to make this for dinner!
SoupAddict
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
Thanks, Laurel! I hope you enjoy it! :)