Easy Coconut Curry Sauce
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
5
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Calories
432 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Indian
Easy Coconut Curry Sauce
Description
This recipe for Easy Coconut Curry Sauce starts by sautéing onion, garlic, and fresh ginger in oil before toasting a blend of spices including garam masala, curry powder, cumin, coriander, paprika, and turmeric. Coconut milk, tomato passata, and chicken broth are added next to form a creamy spiced base. Brown lentils and cubed pumpkin simmer in the sauce until tender, thickening it and adding body. Baby spinach and cashews complete the dish, melting into the sauce and offering a combination of creamy and fresh elements.
The texture is hearty with soft pumpkin and lentils providing substantial bite while the sauce stays smooth and fragrant from the spices. The warmth of the spices and sweetness of pumpkin balance each other, creating an inviting curry base.
Serve the curry over rice, sprinkled with fresh coriander and extra cashews if desired, for a wholesome meal. The sauce is versatile and can accommodate various proteins or additional vegetables as preferred. This recipe yields about 3½ cups of sauce sufficient for 4-5 servings of added ingredients.
Substitutions for cashews include macadamia or pistachio nuts; omitted nuts can be replaced with fried shallots or onions for texture. Use canned lentils or dried lentils cooked separately as described. The spice mix choices can be adjusted to personal taste and availability.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp coconut oil canola, olive oil etc, or ghee or any regular cooking oil
- 4 garlic minced, cloves
- 2 tsp ginger finely grated, fresh
- 1/2 onion , finely chopped (brown or yellow)
- 400g/14oz coconut milk full fat, can
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup tomato passata (tomato puree) (Note 1)
- 400 g/14 oz brown lentils drained, canned
- 250 g / 8 oz pumpkin cut into 2cm / 4/5" cubes, ~3 cups
- 2 cups (tightly packed) baby spinach
- 1/2 cup cashews , unsalted (roasted or raw) (Note 2)
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt each
- 1/2 tsp black pepper each
Spices:
- 1 tbsp garam masala (Note 3)
- 2 tbsp curry powder (mild or spicy, your choice, Note 4)
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp paprika (sweet, or hot for spice!)
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
Serving garnishes:
- Coriander leaves whole or chopped, aka cilantro leaves
- cashews optional, chopped
Instructions
- Sauté aromatics - Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium high heat. Add onion, garlic and ginger, cook for 2 minutes until onion is a bit tinged with gold.
- Cook off spices - Add Spices and stir for 1 minute. Don't worry if it looks a bit dried out.
- Coconut sauce - Add coconut milk, passata and broth. Stir until incorporated. Add lentils and pumpkin. Bring to simmer then adjust heat so it's simmering energetically.
- Simmer for 10 minutes or until pumpkin is tender but not mushy, and sauce has thickened.
- Stir through baby spinach until wilted, then cashew nuts. Add salt and pepper last, adding more if needed.
- Serve over rice, sprinkled with coriander and extra cashews, if using.
Notes
- Use canned crushed tomato as a substitute for passata though consistency may vary.
- Macadamia or pistachio nuts can substitute cashews or omit nuts and add fried shallots for texture.
- Garam masala varies; check spiciness when using specialty store blends and adjust accordingly.
- Use any curry powder, mild or spicy, as the blend is not intended to be overly hot.
- The sauce measures about 3½ cups, suitable for about 4-5 cups of additional protein or vegetables.
- Add proteins by browning first and adding back to finish cooking in the sauce without overcooking.
- Adjust vegetable additions based on their cooking times to keep texture.
- Dried lentils should be cooked before adding; 2/3 cup dried yields about the canned equivalent.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 5Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 432 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 316g | |
| Calories | 432cal | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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