Coconut Red Lentils With Spinach, Cashews & Lime (Vegan)

magpie diner's Note:

This recipe was adapted from ExtraVeganZa, which is a book I am thoroughly loving! For starters I halved the recipe - so you could easily double up again to get about enough for 6-7. There are a few things I did not halve including the curry powder and lime juice, just something to be aware of if you do double it, use those seasonings to taste. If you're using a hotter curry powder like Madras, you may want to add less. I added spinach and used regular onions, the original recipe called for green onions. This made 4 moderate servings, just right if you're serving with rice and/or roti. This didn't take long to make, and tasted even better the next day.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 3

• 1 onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 cup red lentil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
• 1 (14 ounce) can light coconut milk
• 1 lime, juice of
• 1 3/4 cups water
• 1/3 cup whole cashews
• 1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large pot saute the onion in the olive oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes. While the onion cooks get the rest of the ingredients ready to go.
2. Add in the curry powder, mustard seeds, turmeric and red lentils - cook for another 5 minutes. Watch the lentils don't stick by stirring frequently and/or adding more oil if necessary.
3. Mix in the coconut milk, salt, lime juice and water. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low, cover the pot and let simmer for about 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Unlikely, but if you find the lentils have absorbed all of the liquid and are still not cooked, add a bit more water.
4. Once the lentils are cooked they will break down quite a bit and you'll have a reasonably thick dahl like consistency. Stir in the cashews and spinach, along with cilantro if using. Give those ingredients about 3 or 4 minutes to warm through and then you're ready to serve. Garnish with additional cilantro, lime wedges and/or cashews.

Reviews

[Prose]

Oh, soooo good! I agree with the80srule that it was really easy to make too. I didn't even bother with the different bowls that she suggested; I just mixed everything in the pot. I love the iron powerhouse combo of lentils and spinach! I used green lentils, since that was what I had on hand (and cooked them a little longer), but I know that this dish would be even better with red lentils. Also, I used mustard powder instead of seeds and didn't happen to have any cilantro on hand. Like other reviewers, I used extra spinach: 3 cups total. I served it with basmati brown rice. The combination of sweet cashews and coconut, spicy curry, and sour lime was truly tantalizing. I second the suggestion of serving it with lime wedges; a little fresh lime juice squeezed on top was just the thing. I already can't wait to make this again with red lentils. Made for Veg*an Swap, May 2010.

[shell42970]

After making this recipe for the first time, I made it again less than a week later. It's delicious, easy, quick, and hearty - and I'm not a big fan of lentils! I used loads more spinach than the recipe called for - at least 5 cups - and served it in bowls garnished with additional cashews and cilantro (will try serving it over rice next time, for variety). This will become a regular on the family menu during spinach season, to be sure.

[Kozmic Blues]

This was delicious, and tasted even better the next day! I could really taste the mustard flavor from the seeds when I first tried this, but when I had the leftovers the next day, the flavors had migled perfectly. Great, quick, simple recipe. I probably added almost a cup of cashews, cuz I love 'em! I also used baby spinach leaves, and I'd say I threw in 2 BIG handfuls of those as well. I served it over jasmine rice. I didn't have cilantro, but next time will definitely add that as well!