Spicy Lentils and Carrots

Hello Dear Reader,

In my pantry I have a couple of glass jars of lentils that needed using up, not that they go off (or do they?) I think that they are very shelf stable but I added them anyway to my list of things to be used up in my freezer and pantry challenge.

I adore red lentils and this is my fav way to cook with them, brown lentils, mmm, not so much, I prefer the red lentils as they cook down beautifully into a soft comforting mush whereas the brown variety holds their shape.

I thought I would use carrots as they are sweet and also hold their shape and team these two with some spice for this recipe. It is very simple but you could make it even simpler if you use a can of brown lentils instead of dried lentils.

Use what ever curry powder you have at home, I used the Special Malay Curry Mix from Gourmet Africa and it is my absolute favourite, I buy it from the Maleny IGA where they stock a lot of local produce.

Now on with this simple and really delicious recipe-

Ingredients for Spicy Lentils and Carrots, clockwise from top left-1 cup brown lentils or drained can of brown lentils, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds, 2 tablespoons or to taste of your favourite curry powder blend, 3 good sized carrots, peeled and diced, 2 cloves garlic, grated on a microplane, a good sized knob of ginger, peeled and grated on a microplane and 1 large onion, diced

In a large non stick heavy based frypan, sauté the onion for about 5 minutes then add the garlic, ginger, curry powder and mustard seeds. Sauté for another 5 minutes or until fragrant 

Add the diced carrots and let cook away on medium low heat to soften the carrots

Meanwhile rinse and pick over the lentils then cook them in 3 cups of water, bringing them to a gentle boil, turn heat down and with the lid off cook away for 20 minutes or so until soft and most of the water has been absorbed. Drain well, now add the soft lentils to the spicy carrot mixture along with the can of diced tomatoes and let blip away till carrots are nice and soft

Serve with steamed rice, papadums, chutney and greek or natural yoghurt

Delicious, easy and nutritious, love your lentils.

Over to you, what is your favourite brown lentil recipe?

Have a lovely day,

💗Fi

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