Lentil Parsee Curry

Ingredients
2tbsp Coconut Oil
250g Red Lentils
1tsp Fenugreek Seeds
2 Large Onions (thinly sliced)
3 Tomatoes (quartered)
2 Thumb-sized Pieces Ginger (roughly chopped)
10 Dried Red Chillies
8 Garlic Cloves (peeled)
½tsp Cumin Seeds
1tsp Ground Coriander
1tsp Cinnamon
1tsp Turmeric

Method

1. Wash the lentils thoroughly and allow to soak in clean water for 20 minutes.
2. Heat the oil in a large pan and add the onions. Cook over a medium-low heat for 20 minutes until soft and golden.
3. Meanwhile, after the lentils have soaked, cook them for 15 minutes in fresh water with the fenugreek seeds.
4. In a blender, bring the tomatoes, ginger, chillies, garlic and remaining spices together to a paste adding a little water if necessary. Add the paste to the onions and fry for 5 minutes. 
5. Drain the cooked lentils and add them to the pan with the onions and paste. Add 100ml water, stir and cook with the lid on for a further 20 minutes over a very low heat. 

Serve with boiled rice, a chutney of your own choice and plenty of naan bread to mop up all the spicy lentil goodness. 

 

This recipe is just another reason to add to the incredibly long list of why I love curries. Out of 3 simple ingredients and a few spices comes this superb, filling, spicy lentil dish that you’ll not be able to stop eating. For such a simple list of ingredients, the flavours are pleasantly complex and the spice is not too overpowering, but certainly still packs a punch.

As I’ve said before, you can remove a few chillies, or just the seeds from the chillies if you want less heat and spice. Also, if you want to thin it out more, or keep it thick, add more or less water than stated in the method, just manipulate it down to your personal taste. This is a great vegetarian option and remains filling and full of protein even without the addition of any meats. If you really need to add meat to your dishes (then shame on you!) chicken is probably your best bet to accompany the flavours here. Fry the chicken for 5 minutes after you’ve added the paste and before you add the lentils. Enjoy!