Coconut Curry Lentil Stew Served Over Quinoa Food

LENTIL STEW WITH COCONUT AND MADRAS CURRY

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, madras curry, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions start to soften, about 1 minute. Add the parsnips, sweet potatoes and red lentils and cook until warm, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the vegetable stock and coconut milk. Simmer until the vegetables are tender and the lentils are cooked, 25 to 30 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and spinach and cook until the spinach is wilted, about 1 minute more. Ladle the stew into bowls and garnish with the Fresno chile, fresh mint and a lime wedge. Serve with grilled naan if desired.

COCONUT-CURRY LENTIL STEW SERVED OVER QUINOA

Steps:

• Soak the quinoa in a bowl filled with cold water for 5 minutes, then drain using a fine mesh strainer, and rinse with running water. Set the strainer aside so the quinoa can drain, then bring 3 1/2 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of salt to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the quinoa, cover, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer until the quinoa has absorbed the liquid and is tender, about 15 minutes. Set aside, and keep warm.
• Melt the coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, and cook for 5 minutes more. Pour in the water and coconut milk, and add the molasses, coconut powder, cinnamon, curry powder, and ground coriander. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then stir in the lentils, and cook until just tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Stir frequently as the lentils cook to keep them from sticking. Be careful not to overcook them, as they will quickly loose shape and become a paste.
• Once the lentils are done, season to taste with salt and pepper, and stir in the chopped cilantro. Serve the lentil stew over a bed of quinoa.

LENTIL STEW WITH QUINOA

Steps:

• Soak quinoa in a bowl filled with cold water for 5 minutes, then drain in a fine mesh strainer. Rinse with running water - drain.
• Bring 4 cups water and tbsp salt to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the quinoa, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer until the quinoa has absorbed the liquid and is tender, about 20 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
• Melt the coconut oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until the onion has softened and translucent. Mix in the garlic for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes more.
• Pour in water, coconut milk. Add the molasses, coconut powder (or flakes), cinnamon sticks, curry powder and ground coriander. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, then add the lentils and cook until tender (15-20 minutes). Stir frequently as the lentils cook to keep them from sticking. Be careful not to overcook because the lentils will quickly lose shape and turn to a paste.
• Once lentils are done, season to taste with salt and pepper, and stir in the chopped cilantro. Serve the stew over a bed of quinoa.