Curried Red Lentil Stew 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.

CURRIED RED-LENTIL STEW WITH VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then cook onion with 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring occasionally, until golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, purée ginger, garlic, and 1/3 cup water in a blender. Add purée to golden onion and cook, stirring, until water is evaporated and oil visibly separates from onion mixture, about 5 minutes. Add curry powder, turmeric, and cumin and cook over low heat, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in lentils and remaining 5 cups water and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Add carrots and remaining teaspoon salt and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender and lentils have broken down into a coarse purée, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Stir in spinach and peas and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until peas are tender, about 3 minutes. Stir in cilantro and season stew with salt and pepper. If necessary, add enough water to thin stew so that it can easily be ladled over rice.
• Just before serving, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook cumin seeds and red-pepper flakes, stirring, until fragrant and a shade darker, 30 to 45 seconds (be careful not to burn spices). Pour hot spice oil in a swirl over stew.

CURRIED RED LENTILS

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils in cold water until the water runs clear.
• Add lentils and enough water to cover to a saucepan and simmer until the lentils are tender (about 30 minutes).
• Add water if necessary.
• While the lentils are cooking, caramelize the onions in the vegetable oil in a large skillet.
• Combine the curry paste, spices, garlic and ginger in a bowl.
• Mix well.
• When the onions are cooked, add the curry mixture to the pan.
• Cook over a high heat, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in the tomat puree and reduce the heat to a simmer.
• Cook the curry base until the lentils are ready.
• When the lentils are tender, drain off any exceess water and add the lentils to the curry mixture.
• Combine thoroughly and serve immediately.

CURRIED TOMATO AND RED LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Separate cilantro leaves and stems. Chop leaves and set both aside.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, cilantro stems, ginger, and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until onion is softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in curry powder and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add 6 cups water and lentils. Use a spoon to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium heat until lentils are nearly tender, about 10 minutes.
• Add remaining 1 3/4 cups water, cherry tomatoes, and coconut milk powder. Cook over medium-high heat until lentils are very soft and stew is thickened, 10 to 12 minutes. Lightly crush tomatoes with a spoon.
• Meanwhile, set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.
• Lightly brush both sides of naan with 1/2 tablespoon oil and sprinkle with salt. Place on a rimmed baking sheet.
• Place in the preheated oven and broil until golden brown, about 2 minutes, flipping once halfway through. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into wedges.
• Add carrots to the stew and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, pepper, and 1/2 of the reserved cilantro leaves. Ladle stew into bowls. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and garnish with remaining cilantro leaves. Serve with toasted naan.